Chapter 5: The dream
"Karista Flannigan?" a sharp voice bellowed piercing the platform. A tall witch with scarlet robes and a tight-lipped expression on her face walked along the deck amongst the nodding heads of students.
"Here!" Karista yelped, upon having her foot nearly crushed by another student.
The tall witch made her way towards Karista, and held out her hand.
"Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress and head of Gryffindor house. You will be participating in the sorting ceremony. Please follow Hagrid and the first years."
Harry looked down the platform and waived at Hagrid, the only half giant in Hogwarts. Hagrid waived back as Ron and Hermione said Hi.
"See you guys in the great hall, then," Karista muttered, not pleased to be hanging around a couple of first years. She followed the line of first years down a steep, rocky slope towards an inky glass lake. A few clouds very high up, but other than that, she could see the beautiful castle perched high upon a hill. The towers covered the moon, making it look like a castle straight out of a book. Docked near the shore were dozens of little boats.
"Alright, everyone, get in groups of four so that we can get started," Hagrid boomed. "You there, you're the new 5th year, right?"
"Yes, yes I am," Karista shouted shakily. A small breeze was starting to pick up from the East, making Karista shiver. She had left her cloak in the trunk, which was a very bad mistake. She climbed into a boat with two pleasant looking boys and a girl who looked like her face had been smashed in and they were off. Karista couldn't help it. She placed two fingers into the icy water. It was so peaceful, including since she didn't have to talk. She looked at the boys and girl and noticed they were particularly green. One of the boys managed a weak smile.
"Why are you so nervous?" she shivered.
"The-the sorting c-ceremony," a boy replied weakly.
"It won't be so bad," Karista said with a bright smile on her face.
The boys managed to look better after Karista reassured them that nothing bad would happen.
"Duck yer heads unless you want em full 'o ivy," Hagrid boomed, making many 1st years shake.
Karista ducked her head in time to see a large wall of ivy pass seamlessly over them all. They were now drifting through a large tunnel when they saw a gravely beach ahead, marked by large oak doors. Hagrid stepped out of the boat motioning for the 1st years to do the same. He knocked three times on the brass knocker, and waited. Suddenly, the door creaked open and the same severe looking witch was standing there, waiting to take them inside.
"Do you see her?" Harry asked, standing on his chair to get a better look.
"Yeah, she's in the back leading Hagrid," Ron quivered as he almost fell off his chair.
They sat back down and waited, as Harry wanted to listen to the sorting hat. Professor McGonagall disappeared and came back with a four legged stool and the frayed sorting hat. He could vividly remember trying the hat on himself. It almost put him into Slytherin, but with quick thinking on Harry's part, it had sorted him into Gryffindor. A sudden hush came upon the Great Hall as the brim of the hat opened, and it spoke:
Oh I may be ugly, but wait and see
I'm smarter than the smartest hat
And clever as a bee
Many, Many years ago
Came the Hogwarts four
Wanting to build a school
And put an emblem on the door
Godric Gryffindor
Placed a picture of a Lion
To symbolize bravery and courage , which he prized most in his students
Helena Hufflepuff
Placed a picture of a badger
To symbolize hard working, and friendship
Rowena Ravenclaw
Placed a picture of a raven
To symbolize strength and voracity
Salazar Slytherin
Placed a serpent
To symbolize power and trust
Now these Hogwarts four, knowing that they couldn't live forever need a plan
Godric snatched me off his head
And gave me his hand
For in me he placed his thoughts on magical students
And so did the rest
So put me on and see if you can pass my magical test
At this, the Great Hall broke into a loud applause.
"Ruddy brilliant," Fred and George bellowed, practically screaming.
The first years however were very pale. Karista, now knowing she wouldn't have to do anything embarrassing, was quite at ease. Professor McGonagall unrolled a piece of parchment, and began to read names. Karista watched as one by one, the students put on the hat, and it shouted the name of a house. When the last first year went up to the stool and became a Hufflepuff, McGonagall looked up from the parchment.
"We have a new 5th year by the name of Karista Flannigan," Professor McGonagall spoke with a quiver, "If you please, Karista."
She couldn't help but notice that all eyes were on her. She walked over to the stool and set the hat upon her head. Almost immediately, a tiny voice spoke into her head.
"Ah…yes, I see now. Your mother was in Gryffindor, and so was one of your uncles and aunt…"Karista froze. I only have one uncle Karista said to herself, not knowing the hat could hear this. "Ah, but you do! He was in Slytherin. It's all here. You have many, many qualities of Slytherin. A quick temper, bravery, and you value trust and courage. That makes it tough." Karista knew the hat was wrong. She only had one uncle, at least that is what her aunt told her. But why was the hat saying this? "You are a toughie. About 5 years ago, I had Harry Potter. Dear me, he was tough, but this is uncanny." Karista couldn't help but think that this was all a joke. Put me in Gryfindor, Karista thought with all her might. "You are a powerful witch, Karista, very powerful. I will put you in Gryffindor, since you want that and after all, it is the witch or wizard who chooses their fate." Karista let out a sigh of relief. Thank you she thought.
"GRYFFINDOR," the hat shouted, and one side of the great hall was clapping loudly. Karista was blushing furiously as she sat down next to Hermione.
Harry couldn't help but look at the Slytherin table and noticed that Malfoy looked abashed.
"That must be a record. Three minutes it took to sort you," Ron laughed heartily. "What was it saying to you?"
Karista thought for a minute. Surely they wouldn't want to hear about what the hat had said.
"Nothing…I almost went and flung it off my head," karista giggled.
Harry, Ron and Hermione seemed to believe her, although Karista couldn't help thinking about her missing Uncle. Who was he? How come auntie never mentioned him? Did she even know about him? The feast passed in a flurry. Harry looked up at the staff table to see that Snape wasn't there.
"Ron, notice anything strange about the staff table?" He said quizzically.
Not only Snape was missing, but also the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher position was still empty.
"Yeah…I think this is probably the emptiness the table has been in a while," Ron said thickly, as he had just stuffed the pie into his mouth.
***
Once in the Tower, Harry flopped on his familiar bed. He flicked off his shoes, then fumbled around for his pajamas. He noticed that everyone else had already collapsed on their bed asleep. Once he had buttoned his top, he kicked back the covers and fell asleep.
"Master…the potion is ready," a sharp voice pierced the night. He remembered the voice as being that of wormtail.
"Good wormtail, Good," Voldemort said with his high, cold laugh. "When shall we give it to him…let me think…"
"My lord, we should give it to him immediately to prevent any further damage…"
"I know that you blithering idiot. Let me think first," Voldemort said lazily.
"harry Potter won't know what to think, will he master?" Wormtail said, a trace of laughter in his voice.
"Wormtail! Quit being so careless! We mustn't waste time! It is a valuable potion…" muttered Voldemort.
Harry woke with a start. Voldemort seemed so close. His scar had a numbing pain. He was now trying to remember the dream, only recalling a potion and his name. What was Voldemort up to? Numbers on his clock revealed it was 4 AM. It won't be long harry muttered. He rolled over in his bed and fell back asleep, not remembering the dream which had woken him in the first place.
"Karista Flannigan?" a sharp voice bellowed piercing the platform. A tall witch with scarlet robes and a tight-lipped expression on her face walked along the deck amongst the nodding heads of students.
"Here!" Karista yelped, upon having her foot nearly crushed by another student.
The tall witch made her way towards Karista, and held out her hand.
"Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress and head of Gryffindor house. You will be participating in the sorting ceremony. Please follow Hagrid and the first years."
Harry looked down the platform and waived at Hagrid, the only half giant in Hogwarts. Hagrid waived back as Ron and Hermione said Hi.
"See you guys in the great hall, then," Karista muttered, not pleased to be hanging around a couple of first years. She followed the line of first years down a steep, rocky slope towards an inky glass lake. A few clouds very high up, but other than that, she could see the beautiful castle perched high upon a hill. The towers covered the moon, making it look like a castle straight out of a book. Docked near the shore were dozens of little boats.
"Alright, everyone, get in groups of four so that we can get started," Hagrid boomed. "You there, you're the new 5th year, right?"
"Yes, yes I am," Karista shouted shakily. A small breeze was starting to pick up from the East, making Karista shiver. She had left her cloak in the trunk, which was a very bad mistake. She climbed into a boat with two pleasant looking boys and a girl who looked like her face had been smashed in and they were off. Karista couldn't help it. She placed two fingers into the icy water. It was so peaceful, including since she didn't have to talk. She looked at the boys and girl and noticed they were particularly green. One of the boys managed a weak smile.
"Why are you so nervous?" she shivered.
"The-the sorting c-ceremony," a boy replied weakly.
"It won't be so bad," Karista said with a bright smile on her face.
The boys managed to look better after Karista reassured them that nothing bad would happen.
"Duck yer heads unless you want em full 'o ivy," Hagrid boomed, making many 1st years shake.
Karista ducked her head in time to see a large wall of ivy pass seamlessly over them all. They were now drifting through a large tunnel when they saw a gravely beach ahead, marked by large oak doors. Hagrid stepped out of the boat motioning for the 1st years to do the same. He knocked three times on the brass knocker, and waited. Suddenly, the door creaked open and the same severe looking witch was standing there, waiting to take them inside.
"Do you see her?" Harry asked, standing on his chair to get a better look.
"Yeah, she's in the back leading Hagrid," Ron quivered as he almost fell off his chair.
They sat back down and waited, as Harry wanted to listen to the sorting hat. Professor McGonagall disappeared and came back with a four legged stool and the frayed sorting hat. He could vividly remember trying the hat on himself. It almost put him into Slytherin, but with quick thinking on Harry's part, it had sorted him into Gryffindor. A sudden hush came upon the Great Hall as the brim of the hat opened, and it spoke:
Oh I may be ugly, but wait and see
I'm smarter than the smartest hat
And clever as a bee
Many, Many years ago
Came the Hogwarts four
Wanting to build a school
And put an emblem on the door
Godric Gryffindor
Placed a picture of a Lion
To symbolize bravery and courage , which he prized most in his students
Helena Hufflepuff
Placed a picture of a badger
To symbolize hard working, and friendship
Rowena Ravenclaw
Placed a picture of a raven
To symbolize strength and voracity
Salazar Slytherin
Placed a serpent
To symbolize power and trust
Now these Hogwarts four, knowing that they couldn't live forever need a plan
Godric snatched me off his head
And gave me his hand
For in me he placed his thoughts on magical students
And so did the rest
So put me on and see if you can pass my magical test
At this, the Great Hall broke into a loud applause.
"Ruddy brilliant," Fred and George bellowed, practically screaming.
The first years however were very pale. Karista, now knowing she wouldn't have to do anything embarrassing, was quite at ease. Professor McGonagall unrolled a piece of parchment, and began to read names. Karista watched as one by one, the students put on the hat, and it shouted the name of a house. When the last first year went up to the stool and became a Hufflepuff, McGonagall looked up from the parchment.
"We have a new 5th year by the name of Karista Flannigan," Professor McGonagall spoke with a quiver, "If you please, Karista."
She couldn't help but notice that all eyes were on her. She walked over to the stool and set the hat upon her head. Almost immediately, a tiny voice spoke into her head.
"Ah…yes, I see now. Your mother was in Gryffindor, and so was one of your uncles and aunt…"Karista froze. I only have one uncle Karista said to herself, not knowing the hat could hear this. "Ah, but you do! He was in Slytherin. It's all here. You have many, many qualities of Slytherin. A quick temper, bravery, and you value trust and courage. That makes it tough." Karista knew the hat was wrong. She only had one uncle, at least that is what her aunt told her. But why was the hat saying this? "You are a toughie. About 5 years ago, I had Harry Potter. Dear me, he was tough, but this is uncanny." Karista couldn't help but think that this was all a joke. Put me in Gryfindor, Karista thought with all her might. "You are a powerful witch, Karista, very powerful. I will put you in Gryffindor, since you want that and after all, it is the witch or wizard who chooses their fate." Karista let out a sigh of relief. Thank you she thought.
"GRYFFINDOR," the hat shouted, and one side of the great hall was clapping loudly. Karista was blushing furiously as she sat down next to Hermione.
Harry couldn't help but look at the Slytherin table and noticed that Malfoy looked abashed.
"That must be a record. Three minutes it took to sort you," Ron laughed heartily. "What was it saying to you?"
Karista thought for a minute. Surely they wouldn't want to hear about what the hat had said.
"Nothing…I almost went and flung it off my head," karista giggled.
Harry, Ron and Hermione seemed to believe her, although Karista couldn't help thinking about her missing Uncle. Who was he? How come auntie never mentioned him? Did she even know about him? The feast passed in a flurry. Harry looked up at the staff table to see that Snape wasn't there.
"Ron, notice anything strange about the staff table?" He said quizzically.
Not only Snape was missing, but also the Defense against the Dark Arts teacher position was still empty.
"Yeah…I think this is probably the emptiness the table has been in a while," Ron said thickly, as he had just stuffed the pie into his mouth.
***
Once in the Tower, Harry flopped on his familiar bed. He flicked off his shoes, then fumbled around for his pajamas. He noticed that everyone else had already collapsed on their bed asleep. Once he had buttoned his top, he kicked back the covers and fell asleep.
"Master…the potion is ready," a sharp voice pierced the night. He remembered the voice as being that of wormtail.
"Good wormtail, Good," Voldemort said with his high, cold laugh. "When shall we give it to him…let me think…"
"My lord, we should give it to him immediately to prevent any further damage…"
"I know that you blithering idiot. Let me think first," Voldemort said lazily.
"harry Potter won't know what to think, will he master?" Wormtail said, a trace of laughter in his voice.
"Wormtail! Quit being so careless! We mustn't waste time! It is a valuable potion…" muttered Voldemort.
Harry woke with a start. Voldemort seemed so close. His scar had a numbing pain. He was now trying to remember the dream, only recalling a potion and his name. What was Voldemort up to? Numbers on his clock revealed it was 4 AM. It won't be long harry muttered. He rolled over in his bed and fell back asleep, not remembering the dream which had woken him in the first place.