Dragon Keys


By Kryptonite


A/N: Thanks to ztrange for the compliment, I'm glad you like how this is written. And to ozi, does potential' mean you like the story? :) Anyway, due to circumstances I can't control (I-book pick up is June 2nd) I unfortunately must update this rather quickly. I have twelve chapters to get up in three days. Not good, so please R/R, I'm sorry this is going to be so rushed, but enjoy.


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Hopefully we'll see you in Gryffindor. Harry said as an afterthought to Ash as he, Hermione and the Weasley's bound down the path for the carriage ride to the castle.


Nothing happened this year, the weather was much better, and Peeves was no where to be seen.


Least we aren't getting bombed with water balloons. The great hall was a buzz with conversations from all the tables as old friends met up and as everyone settled down for the sorting.



*Rewind*




Firs' years! All firs' years over here please! Anymore o' you lot? No? Then les go! Hagrid led the first years down the slippery slope to the lake where the boats were waiting. Watch yer step here! Follow me!


The first years in all shapes, sizes, and colors slipped and stumbled down the rocky path. Ash followed suit, doing little better than anyone else. Once the kids caught sight of the wood boats and the glass-smooth, black lake they stopped dead in their tracks. Then the students looked up and saw the magnificent view of the castle with the windows all lit up and twinkling.


No more'n four to a boat! Hagrid shouted motioning to the boats sitting silently on the lake, waiting for the students to get in. Ash got in a boat with two other boys and a girl. Ash trailed her fingers in the water as the boats glided along.


When a pale face appeared just beneath her fingers, Ash jerked her hand out of the water. Trembling, she clasped her hands in her lap and stared straight ahead, ignoring the magical presence just beneath her and to the side. She knew there were other presences, she could feel them, deeper down, but it was the one closest to her that worried her.


Heads down! Hagrid bellowed as the boats reached the cliff and sailed under the overhang. Coming to a natural little harbor the students clambered out onto a beach of rock and pebbles.


The kids walked up a passage way until Hagrid's lamp reached green grass in the castle's shadow. Walking up a flight of wide stone steps they crowded around a huge oak door.


Everyone here? Good. Hagrid raised one of his giant fists and knocked twice on the door. The door swung open to reveal a tall, black-haired sour faced witch in emerald-green robes.


The firs' years, Professor.


Thank you Hagrid. I'll take them now.


Opening the door wider, McGonagall led the kids across the flagged stone floor. The voices of the kids beyond a door to the right sounded through the entrance hall, echoing over and over and over off the walls. Instead of going through the door, McGonagall led the first years into a small chamber off the hall.


Ash stayed just outside the circumference of comfort, which constituted the first years standing rather close together.


Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is avery important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.


The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. A few students looked at each other with a smug look. Each house has it's own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you points and while rule-breaking will lose points.


At the end of the year, the house points will be tallied and the house with the most points will win the house cup, a great. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house you are sorted into.


The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes. I suggest you straighten up. I shall return when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly. McGonagall turned and left the room, leaving the students alone to talk.


My name's Kendra. A voice sounded in front of Ash, who snapped her eyes open to see the girl standing in front of her. Her skin was a rich coffee with milk brown color and her straight, shiny black hair fell to her shoulders.


Ash. Kendra stuck her hand out to shake Ash's.


What do you think we'll have to do? Kendra whispered conspiratorially.


Don't know. Kendra looked at Ash funny.


Where you from?


America.


That explains the accent. Ash rolled her eyes.


We're ready for you now. Professor McGonagall said, stepping back into the room.


The students formed a single-file line and walked out of the hall and through the doors that they had seen earlier. Walking between the middle tables, the students were led to an area of clear space between the students tables and the teachers.



*Caught Up*




Harry, Ron and Hermione waved at Ash as she passed. The shining faces reflected the candlelight as the first years looked over the crowd.


I think I'm gonna be sick. Kendra whispered. Ash smiled and unfocused her eyes.


McGonagall came back out with a three-legged stool and a raggedy looking pointed witches hat. It looked like it hadn't been washed in a million years. The hat twitched and a rip near the brim opened wide. The hat sang for a few minutes and when he was done, everyone started clapping. Professor McGonagall pulled a scroll out and started to read.


Anderson, Kara. A brunette girl walked slowly up the stairs looking like she was about to faint.


The hat took a minute to make his decision and then shouted, RAVENCLAW!


The table second from the left started clapping: several students stood up to shake her hand.


Anthony, Jason. A snub nosed dirty blonde boy wiped at his nose as he pulled the hat over his head.


GRYFFINDOR! The table on the far left literally exploded with sound and there was a lot of whistling and cheering.


Banning, Elizabeth became the first Hufflepuff but Balerd, James became a new Gryffindor. Bulstrode, Kevin became the first Slytherin. The list continued on like that with Muhic, Kendra becoming a Gryffindor. Finally Ash was the last student standing.


Pendragon, Ashley. Professor McGonagall had a double take and frowned looking back at her paper. Ash looked ready to run for the hills. Sorry. Thomas, Ashley. Why are you at the bottom? Ash shrugged and crossed herself as she went to sit on the stool.


The hat never even touched her head before it shouted, GRYFFINDOR!


Harry, Ron and Hermione stood up, clapping and screaming. But the hat wasn't done, not yet.


THIRD YEAR! All noise slowly died down at the proclamation.


Pardon me? Professor Dumbledore adjusted his glasses. Well, Miss... uh... Ashley. Have a seat, we'll sort this out after the feast. Ash sat down next to Hermione who saved her a seat.


Good job. Everyone whispered to her before Dumbledore stood up and lifted his glass.


So we don't delay any longer: Enjoy! The food appeared at those words and everyone grabbed for something.


Wha's with tha' las' name? Ron mumbled around a huge chunk of bread.


Forget it. Ash took a sip of her drink, grimaced, whispered something over it, took another sip and sat it down happily.


It's so familiar. Hermione tried to place the name, knowing that she'd heard it before.


I mean it. Just forget it. It was a mistake. My last name's Thomas. Ash stuffed a roll in her mouth.


Soon enough the plates were left clean and Dumbledore stood up with the announcements.


As always I have a few start-of-the-year announcements. First years should note that the forest is forbidden to all students. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that. He stared directly at the Weasley twins.


I have also been asked by Mr. Filch to remind you that no magic is allowed to be used between classes in the corridors. Also, he asks for me to add that any tricks or jokes created and made by the Weasley twins are not allowed either. A few halfhearted groans were scattered around the great hall.


Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch. Finally, before we go to bed, let's sing the school song. The teachers smiles looked stuck on with glue about to fall off.


Twitching his wand Professor Dumbledore spoke, Everyone pick their favorite tune and off we go!


The whole school bellowed:



Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot.



Instead of the Weasley's being the last, with their funeral march, Ash finished last, filling the hall with her sweet tones which echoed and multiplied off the ceilings until it sound like she had a hundred people singing with her. When she finished the whole school started clapping.