Obligatory Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter universe or any of the recognizable characters living there. I am just borrowing them to tell this story.
A/N: Wow, I'm up to chapter 7! Since I know you want to get to the story I'll keep this A/N short.
The two spells that Bryan uses in this chapter are my own creation. If anyone wishes to use them just email me. They are explained at the end of the chapter if you're interested.
Don't forget to review and tell me what you think. Flames are welcome. It's unseasonably cold outside right now.
:D
As soon as the train had stopped at the station, students started piling out onto the platform. The older students immediately headed toward what looked like carriages. The only thing that seemed to be missing was horses to pull them. Once each carriage had filled with students it became clear that they didn't need horses. They were moving on their own. The youngest students simply looked around with confused looks upon their faces. They had no idea what they were supposed to do.
There was one fifth year student that was also looking around, but for a very different reason. He was absorbing everything about this new place. He knew that this would be something that he would remember for a long time and wanted to make sure he experienced it to its fullest. He would've gladly stayed where he was except someone else had other ideas. He was interrupted when he felt someone pulling on the sleeve of his robes. It was Ginny and her friends from the train.
"Come on Bryan, you don't want to miss the Welcoming Feast." She continued to pull him in the direction of one of the last carriages until she was certain that he would follow her.
The ride to the school was relatively brief and Bryan couldn't tear his eyes from the view out the window. Although he had been here at the beginning of the summer he hadn't seen the outside of the school. Although he had read several books about the school, including a book called Hogwarts: A History, they came nowhere near describing the sheer presence of the school. It was almost palpable. His apprehension that he felt on the train was washed away by the chills of excitement that he now felt. He was again reminded of his thoughts about having a great adventure this year and he couldn't wait to get started.
The carriages stopped in front of a set of large, intricately carved stone doors. The students passed through these doors into what Ginny had called the Entrance Hall. Bryan couldn't help but to look around. The hall itself had a high ceiling broken every once in a while by archways that were like flowing rivers of stone that started at the floor and met at the top of the arch. At the top of each arch were carvings of what Bryan assumed was the Hogwarts crest alternating with the individual house crests. At both ends of the hall Bryan could see stairs leading up and stairs leading down. Evenly spaced along the walls were torches that stuck out from very ornate stone sconces. Directly across the hall was another set of doors very much like the set they had just passed through.
Standing beside the doors was a serious looking witch that appeared to be middle-aged. She was wearing a deep emerald set of formal robes and matching hat. She was staring directly at him and once Bryan looked at her, she headed in his direction.
Sarah noticed this and whispered in his ear, "Uh oh, McGonagall's got you in her sights. You might want to run." Although she had meant it to sound foreboding, the smile on her face betrayed her.
All too quick, Professor McGonagall was right in front of them. She gave each student a once over with her eyes as if she were trying to ascertain what they talking about. Neither student betrayed anything. "Miss Thomas, you may proceed into the Great Hall. Mr. Dunn, you will follow me, please." With that she headed down the hall and around a corner, not once looking back to see if they were doing as she had instructed. The two students looked at each other and Susan just shrugged her shoulders and headed toward the Great Hall. Bryan hurried after the professor.
Just as he had caught up to her they had arrived at a plain looking door and entered. They entered what looked to be a storage room. There was another door opposite the one they had just entered through. The contents of the room itself included a couple chairs around a small circular table, some sealed unlabeled wooden crates, and several large boxes of what was unmistakably Christmas ornaments. Sitting on a four-legged stool next to the other door was the same tattered hat that Bryan had seen in Professor Dumbledore's office. He wondered what it was doing here.
"Please, have a seat. I want you to wait here until I come get you in a few minutes." With that, Professor McGonagall disappeared out the way she had come. Bryan pulled out a chair and sat down. With nothing else to do, he stared at the hat and thought about putting it on. If it didn't look like it would fall apart as soon as he touched it, he probably would have.
Bryan had waited about ten minutes when McGonagall returned, this time through the other door. She picked up the hat and stool and gestured for Bryan to follow her. Once they had passed through into the next room, Bryan knew that he was in the Great Hall, as it was filled with students sitting at four long tables. This room was described in great detail in the books he had read, from the house tables to the enchanted ceiling. He still felt awed to be here.
As soon as they entered Professor McGonagall told him to wait by the door. From his vantage point he could clearly see the head table where most of the professors and the headmaster were sitting. Dumbledore turned in Bryan's direction and nodded hello, his eyes showing merriment. He could see the night sky as represented by the ceiling and could see the familiar constellations between the few clouds that passed by. The house tables were almost full of students, every one of them talking animatedly with their neighbors. He watched as McGonagall placed the hat and stool in front of the head table, then head out through the large doors at the other end of the Great Hall. Moments later she returned and was followed by a line of nervous looking first year students. Everybody in the hall became quiet.
Once the line reached the stool they were instructed as to what they would have to do in order to be sorted into their houses. It was simple. Professor McGonagall would call out their name, they'd sit on the stool and put on the hat, and the hat would sort them into their appropriate house. And so it went. Student after student sat on the stool with the old hat on their head and waited for the hat to shout out which house they belonged to. Each time it happened the other students cheered and shook the hand of the newest member of their house. It looked like a lot of fun. Bryan couldn't wait for his turn, which he knew he must take. He hoped that he'd be sorted into Gryffindor, not only because it would make his job of training Harry Potter easier, but also because it was also the house where he'd already made friends.
The sorting had gone without incident until the final student was announced into Ravenclaw. The young boy was so excited that, in his haste to get down from the stool, his foot got caught on one of the rungs and started to fall over.
Bryan noticed that something was wrong immediately and simply reacted. He reached for his wand and pointed it in the direction of the falling student. "Malacusum Solumi," he shouted and instantly a golden light shot from the end of his wand and struck the floor surrounding the stool. When the boy impacted with the floor he didn't hit a hard floor as expected. He hit a floor that felt more like a nice, soft bed. He stood up and looked both embarrassed and confused. Bryan came over to the boy and asked if he was okay. When the boy responded that he was and headed over to the Ravenclaw table, Bryan pointed his wand at the floor and cast another spell. "Redintegro." At first it appeared that nothing had happened. When Bryan picked up the stool & hat and set them back where they had been, it became obvious that the floor was once again hard as ever. Bryan looked up to see that every student was looking at him. He didn't know what to do or say, so he settled on "Sorry about that" and started walking back to where he had been standing.
Every pair of eyes followed him, which is probably why no one noticed when the headmaster stood up until he spoke. "Well, that's one way to get everyone's attention. Everyone, it is my pleasure to introduce a new student to Hogwarts this year. Bryan Dunn comes to us under unusual circumstances. Although he has never attended a single lesson at any wizarding school, Bryan is entering Hogwarts as a fifth year. He has studied very hard over the summer in an effort to get up to speed with his fellow fifth years. I think we can all agree that he's got a good start. Good reflexes, too. Mr. Dunn, please come back over and we'll see which house gets the right to brag about having you in their house."
Bryan walked over to the stool and sat down. For the first time in a very long time he felt like a fifteen year old. Nervously he placed the hat upon his head and immediately heard someone speaking in his ear. "Hmmm. You're very powerful for someone so young. A mage, are you? Yes, I can sense it. Had some tough times in the past that you don't like to think about. Hmmm. Even though it might mean that you'd be put in similar situations, you accepted the headmaster's request. Very brave. Couldn't let someone else face similar situations unprepared if you could help it. That speaks of the quality of your honor and loyalty. There's no doubt about it, you are definitely a GRYFFINDOR!" Once again, everyone at the Gryffindor table started to clap and cheer as he made his way toward them.
As soon as he got there he noticed that Ginny Weasley made a space between herself and her older brother and indicated that he should sit there. Bryan gave her a warm smile of thanks and took the offered seat. Across the table he saw Harry Potter sitting next to whom he assumed to be Hermione Granger. This was immediately confirmed as she reached across the table and shook his hand and introduced herself and those around her.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger. This here's Harry Potter and sitting next to you is Ron Weasley. I guess that you already know his sister Ginny. On the other side of Ron are Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan, and Dean Thomas. They're fifth years as well." Bryan shook each of their hands as she introduced them. Hermione looked around as if looking for someone, but soon gave up and looked at Bryan again as everyone started sitting. "Harry and I are the fifth year prefects so if you have any questions, feel free to ask one of us."
Harry looked across the table at his former dorm-mates and had a mischievous smile on his face. "Well guys, it looks like you don't have to fight over who gets the use of the extra bed. Bryan'll be bunking with you." If the feast had already started Harry might've had to duck out of the way of flying food. Since there wasn't anything to throw at him, the guys simply stuck their tongues out at him.
As prefects, Harry and Hermione would be staying in the prefect dorm where they each had their own room with their own common room, as well as a private bathroom reserved for prefects. This was one of the perks of the job that Harry had been looking forward to. Sure, he'd miss rooming with Ron, but he definitely wouldn't miss Neville's loud snores or the way that Seamus talked in his sleep.
After Professor Dumbledore had said a few words by was of greetings to all students, the feast began. At once every plate, platter, and cup filled with food and drink. It was the most food that Bryan had ever seen in one place. After noticing everyone helping themselves to as much food as they wanted Bryan did the same. While everyone was eating they talked to each other about their summer, what they thought classes would be like, and other such stuff. It wasn't until desserts had appeared and everyone was beginning to get full that they started asking Bryan about himself and telling him about them. He answered their questions as best he could without telling too much. He didn't lie to them, but he also didn't go into great detail.
It was Ron that decided that he'd had enough of the single sentence answers. "Listen, mate, is there a reason that you don't want to talk to us? You've been avoiding giving us any real answers. We've told you all about us, so what gives?"
"Listen, guys, I would like to tell you all about myself. It's just that there are some things that I don't like to think about and my past is a big part of that. There are other things that I can't tell you. But here's what I can tell you. I am what you call a muggleborn, at least on my mother's side. I never knew my dad. I had an older brother and sister. I also had a great many friends. Every single one of them is dead. They're all dead because of me. My mom and sister were the last ones to die; that was four years ago. I spent the last four years wandering the United States, trying to forget my pain. I never stayed in one place long in case anyone was looking for me. One day I get the urge to go to London, so I did. That's when I met Professor Dumbledore and he explained what I was. He invited me to attend Hogwarts as a first year. I said that I'd be more comfortable with students closer to my age so he agreed to let me come as a fifth year. As he said, I have spent all summer learning four years worth of magic. In about a month I'll be tested on that material. Beyond that, there's not much else that I'm willing to talk about right now. Maybe when I get to know all of you better, I'll feel more comfortable talking about it. For now, though, that's the best I can do." Bryan knew that he probably said more than he should have, but he couldn't tell them nothing.
Not knowing what to say, everyone finished eating in silence. When Dumbledore stood once more and addressed the students once more they were all relieved for the diversion.
"Now that we've filled our stomachs, I must now start filling your minds. Once again I must remind you all that the Dark Forest is strictly out of bounds. Any student caught entering the forest will be punished severely. Please note that new wards have been placed around Hogwarts that prevents people from disguising their identities. Poly-juice potions and Glamour spells will not work on Hogwarts grounds, so you can rest assured that everyone is who they say they are. We don't want a repeat of last year, now do we?
"Also, as many of you may have noticed, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher has not arrived yet. Until she arrives, Professor Snape will be teaching it in the interim." There were several loud groans at this. "Never fear, Professor Snape will still be able to teach Potions.
"Lastly, I wish to remind you all that we are living in dark times and that you should be mindful of your surroundings and be vigilant in your studies. Now more than ever, you never know when you'll need to defend yourselves and others.
"With that said, I wish you all goodnight and pleasant dreams. Tomorrow classes will begin and you'll need to be rested."
At once everyone stood and headed for the entrance, prefects in the lead. Bryan looked again toward the head table and noticed that Professor Dumbledore was waving him to follow the other students. Bryan took that to mean that he would introduce him to Harry properly some other time. He followed his fellow Gryffindors back to the dorms, then followed Ron and Seamus to the room that would be their home for the year. He quickly found the bed that was his and started unpacking his trunk and placing everything in the wardrobe that was beside the four poster bed. After sliding his wand under his pillow, Bryan laid down and was asleep almost instantly.
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Here's what the spells Bryan used mean:
Malacusum Solumi (mal a koo sum sol uh mi)- Used to soften the floor or ground.
Redintegro (Re din teg row) - to restore something its original state. Very similar to Finite Incantatum.
