Chapter 2

The 'train', as he heard the boys call it, went very fast, and amazed Illiar, though he did not voice his amazement and tried to sound like he fit in. Sirius had laid down on his back, having the whole bench to himself, and had closed his eyes, though Illiar doubted he was asleep. Remus had his head leaned against the window, also looking very tired. Illiar just leaned back in the cushions, too anxious to rest at all. He was just about to say something to Remus when the door to their compartment opened, a boy standing there and grinning. His black hair was in disarray, and he wore glasses. Sirius made no reaction, save to half open one eye, staring at the cause of disturbance. Lupin eyed the boy curiously and Illiar sat up.

"Hey, can I sit here?" he was still grinning.

"You won't grin like that the whole time, will you?" Sirius asked, obviously annoyed.

The boy frowned and sat down, but then started grinning again. Sirius closed his eye again, sighing. "What are you so happy about, then?"

"The trolley is coming around in a minute…"

"Is that all?" said Sirius, bored.

"You'll see."

Sirius' eyes popped open, and he raised an eyebrow, staring out of the corner of his eye at the boy. A second later, the food trolley pulled up, and a lady in white asked them what they would like. Sirius sat up, handed the lady some coins, and picked out various treats. The grinning boy did the same. Illiar sighed and put his hands in his pockets, knowing he had no money, when his fingers touched something. Slowly, he pulled out his hand, surprised to see the same kind of coins. You'll be given a wand in order to fit in, along with all else you might need. Thank you, Ameur, he thought, and handed the lady some coins. He picked out some pumpkin pasties, chocolate frogs, and sugar quills. The lady started to continue on, when a loud POP, and fizzing and whirling noises exploded, along with many colored sparks. The whole trolley was alight, and the woman let out a scream, backing away from her cart.

The boy in their compartment was laughing uncontrollably, while Sirius, Illiar, and Remus stared on with amazement, wide-eyed. Then they too broke out laughing.

"So, what's your name?" Sirius asked when he had calmed down a bit. He had a glint in his eye, and he was smiling mischievously.

"James Potter," he answered.

"Well, James, I think we'll get along real well. I'm Sirius Black. This is Remus and Illiar." They nodded, and James smiled back.

"Where'd you get those Filibusters Fireworks?" Sirius asked.

"Snuck 'em on. I was in another compartment and when the trolley came round, I stuck them in as I grabbed some food," said James animatedly.

"Genius," Sirius said.

"Glad I meet approval," he laughed.

The four boys stayed together the rest of the train ride. Illiar quickly learned the ropes, and James was more than a bit fascinated with him. But like before, answers to prying questions were answered with some knowledge he didn't know he had. Sirius and James hit it off, especially with their love for mischief. Illiar smiled to himself, thinking of all the scenes he would witness due to their planning. Remus, he saw, was much more reserved, though still friendly.

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The train came to a halt a little later, and Illiar walked off with the other three. A large, giant looking man stood out in the midst of the students. He had a big beard, and was shouting out.

"Firs' years! Firs' over here!" he yelled.

"That's us," said Sirius, and he grabbed Illiar by the sleeve, pulling him through the throng. For Illiar had stood stuck, stunned at the sight of the castle across the lake and seeing all the many witches and wizards flocking. They walked through to the edge of the lake, where boats stood, waiting.

"No more'n four to a boat," the big man called.

The four boys climbed in together, looking at the beautiful castle before them. Then in a group all of the boats moved forward, across the lake. Sirius reached a hand down, then pulled it back out.

"Water's cold," he said. "I'd hate to be the sucker who falls in."

"There's supposed to be some giant squid, or something," said James, looking into the dark lake.

"Now what could possibly be the reason for that?" Illiar asked.

"Who knows? The school has a lot of different things," said Remus.

"Different and weird," said James.

They arrived at the entrance to the castle, where a stern looking teacher stood to meet them.

"This way," she said, leading them to another set of doors. "I'm Professor McGonagall. You'll be admitted into the great hall, where the other students are already seated. Then, you will be called up one by one alphabetically to be sorted into your houses. The headmaster and other teachers are seated at the front, and once everyone is sorted there will be a feast. Now then, follow me."

The four boys walked together, into the great hall. The sight threatened to freeze Illiar in his tracks again, but he gained control over his legs and Sirius didn't need to grab his sleeve again. Four great tables stood set up, each with their own coat of arms hanging overhead. In front, indeed was the teacher's table, and in the middle in a high-backed chair sat an old man with a long beard. But he gave off no feeling of weakness. His robes were majestic and his eyes twinkled beneath spectacles. For one moment, Illiar could have sworn the man met his eyes, and somehow saw through him, and discovered that he didn't belong there…if he did he gave no indication. Above, the nights sky glimmered, so bright that Illiar realized the ceiling must be enchanted.

The crowd of people stopped moving, and Professor McGonagall stood in front of them, bringing out an old hat and a stool. All at once, a rip in the hat opened and it started singing. It sang of Hogwarts, and the four houses, and the values of each.

Then McGonagall said, "When I call your name, you will come forward and place the sorting hat on your head. Once you have been sorted, you will go to a table to join your housemates…Aaring, Hector."

A plain looking boy walked up and nervously placed the hat on his head, sitting on the stool. After a moment, the brim of the hat opened and a voice called out, "Hufflepuff!"

"Ainet, Illiar."

This was it. This was the moment where he would be discovered, and Ameur's plan come to naught. They would see him as an alien, not belonging, and his new friends would be lost, calling him a freak. No, he scolded himself. You're not from this time. They're not your friends. Not expecting much good, he nervously walked to the stool and placed the hat on his head.

He could feel the hat's magical brain, and it was searching his. He could feel it, and he wanted to stop it. Stop, already! It's my mind, and I must keep my secret! Immediately, he felt the magic stop…and a voice, the hat's, sounded in his head.

What are you doing? it said.

Keeping myself.

You're amazing…My, who are you? You stopped me from entering your head. You know, I can't sort you unless I know what you're like.

But I must keep my secret. Sort me blindly if you must, dear hat, at least I will be in a house.

Any secret you have is safe within me. And yours must be great. You are powerful, yes, and have stopped me…never has that happened.

You will not send me back?

I do not yet even know where you came from! But, you are not from here, are you? Let me in, loosen your strange hold, I can do no harm, only my job.

Illiar felt the troubling feeling once again of the hat searching his mind, stripping it bare. He was almost in pain from it, but held himself from blocking the hat again. Just stop, he finally begged it. Enough…! The strain subsided, but was not completely gone yet. He would have a headache for weeks after this.

And you are a special one! From the far past, a great power;…which one? Ah, I've said enough to you already. Fear not, you will hear no more from me. You're safe. And your house! You would fit in all. Lost soul you are not, you're just kept in ignorance. But you will learn soon enough of yourself. Slytherin…you have a great will, and will not be deterred by right and wrong. But you are patient, too, for Hufflepuff. Ravenclaw…you have a great mind, a mastermind, and can work things together as you want them. And great Gryffindor. You are not short of bravery, I can tell you that. You are loyal, determined…and you showed me that firsthand, keeping your secret. And so that you shall be.

"Gryffindor!" This last name was heard not by his mind, but by his ears, and he was completely free from the hold. Thank Ameur. Immediately he tore the forsaken hat from his sore head (he was sure he had somehow gotten brain damage, being so long under its magical sway), and walked to the cheering scarlet and gold table. People clapped him on the back as he sat down.

A few more names were called, but Illiar took no notice until he heard "Black, Sirius!" Then he watched along with the others at the Gryffindor table. Sirius stayed under the hat for a little longer than others, but not nearly so long as he himself, Illiar was sure. The hat finally called "Gryffindor!" and Sirius, smiling widely, plopped down next to Illiar.

"Hey, you were under there a while," Sirius said.

"Yeah…it kind of said I'd fit in all of the houses." He hesitated. "Could-" he felt stupid asking this. "Could you feel it…searching your mind?"

"The hat? Not really. It's some really old magic that allows the hat to think for itself, and be an impartial judge," answered Sirius.

Old magic. Maybe that's why he was more affected by it. He was from the ancient past. "I felt it…it was almost painful, straining, and it was looking into me. I think I might have a headache for weeks."

"Hmmm…maybe you're more sensitive to it, or something like that. Did the hat talk to you?"

Yes, so he wasn't completely insane. "Yes."

"Me too. Kind of told me what it thought."

Illiar nodded. They turned to look as Remus Lupin was called up. He was pale and nervous, and was shaking when the hat finally called, "Gryffindor!" Sirius and Illiar congratulated him as he sat across from them, smiling.

A "Pettigrew, Peter!", who was sorted into Gryffindor, was sitting down near them when James was called up.

"James thinks he's a shoe-in for Gryffindor," Sirius said.

And sure enough, after a few seconds, the 'forsaken' hat called out "Gryffindor!" James sat down across from Sirius.

"Man, a sorting hat isn't what I expected. I thought there would be some test to sort you. Not just some hat that reads minds," he said.

"It's a hat from hell," Illiar murmured.

James and Sirius laughed. "What'd it say to you that's got you all mad?" James asked.

"It gave me a bloody headache! The thing like, stripped my mind down, searching. I swear I got brain damage."

Remus looked at him, concerned.

"He could feel it looking into his mind," Sirius added.

"That's odd. I didn't feel a thing, though I knew it was looking into my mind," mused James.

"I think it's 'cause he's probably just more sensitive to that sort of prying."

"It makes sense," Illiar admitted.

"Yeah," agreed James.

"I guess," said Lupin.

The final student was sorted, and the headmaster stood up. The student body quickly quieted. "Greetings, to another wonderful year at Hogwarts. I'm your headmaster, Professor Dumbledore. There are a few start of term notices that I must address. The first being that journeying into the Forbidden Forest is strictly prohibited, to those who do not wish to die a very painful death. Also, there is now a new Whomping Willow on the grounds, and I must stress that no one is to come within close proximity to it, as it is a very expensive and rare plant. With that out of the way, I wish a good year to you all. I only have one more word to say: incense."

Immediately, plates and plates of delicious smelling food appeared magically on the tables, waiting to be consumed. And in the midst of the merriment, Illiar forgot the hat from hell, its words, and all of his concerns.