Dragon Keys
By Kryptonite
&*&&*&
Wiping a tear from his eye, Dumbledore dismissed the students with the exception of Ash. She and the teachers retreated to a room off the Great Hall, that Harry remembered well from last year.
Come on Harry. We'll see her in the morning. Harry followed Ron and Hermione up the stairs.
Arrggghhh! Help! Neville had forgotten about skipping the trick step in the stair case.
Neville. The three friends chorused fondly before moving to help him out, but Ginny beat them to the punch.
Come on Neville. Ginny hauled up on his arm and between the two of them, they managed to pull him out of the step.
Looks like she's moved on from the boy-who-lived. Hermione remarked smugly, looking at Harry out of the corner of her eye. Harry was looking like he had been expecting this.
She got over me two years ago. Ginny told me in a letter this summer that she liked Neville. A small ah' of sound escaped Hermione's lips as they continued on to the common room.
Anyone willing to pay? They make great party gags. Fred and George were filling out order forms in a corner of the common room near the fire.
Too bad Percy's not here. He'd throw those forms in the fire. Ron muttered shaking his head at his brother's antics.
Probably a good thing he isn't here then. Harry muttered back as they moved to the staircase to go to bed.
Night guys.
Night They chorused back going their separate ways.
*Rewind*
Ashley... Pendragon? Is that it?
Thomas sir. Please don't say the other name out loud.
Why not? Snape sneered from his comfortable lounging position, not caring or paying attention to this one student.
It's just... well... Thomas is my name. Ash shrugged.
Alright then. Let's give this stubborn old thing another try, shall we? The professor's kindly old eyes twinkled as he winked at Ash, before pulling the sorting hat back out and sitting it on her head.
Third year. I already told you that. The Sorting hat sounded grumpy.
I have a suggestion. Ash held up her index finger to get attention, but she stared unblinkingly at the inside of the hat.
What's that? Snape couldn't resist spitting again.
Oh leave the child alone Severus.
Shut up Remus. Snape snapped again.
Would you two stop it? McGonagall asked, more than a little exasperated at their behavior.
You could give me a kind of informal test. To see if I know the material to go into the third year. I'm sure the hat would provide... The hat was taken off and held upside down. Reaching a hand in, Dumbledore pulled a group of papers and a quill from the tattered, black hat.
You have two hours. Dumbledore said, placing the test in front of her.
If she's going to do that, can we leave? Snape had rested his fist against his temple, supporting his head.
Yes Severus. If you're that bored, you may go. And you, Miss Thomas, may begin.
*Caught Up*
Most of the teachers drifted off as Ash worked on her test. She finished an hour early.
That's enough for tonight. You may go.
I'll show you to the common room. McGonagall showed Ash all the way to the picture of the Fat Lady. Giving her the password, McGonagall hastily left Ash to get in and find her dorm room by herself.
This way Ash. Hermione whispered when Ash tried to figure out which way to go.
Thanks. Ash whispered back.
Good night. Hermione had heard someone come in as she hadn't been sleeping well. In fact, she had been reading.
Night. Ash stifled a yawn and promptly fell into bed, full dressed.
&*&&*&
Someone said you were from America. Ash nodded her petite head and took another bite out of her toast.
What's it like?
I can't tell a difference.
Wow Harry. Ron half whispered, Guess you're not as famous as you used to be. Just as Ron finished his sentence one of the first years got a good look at Harry Potter. And immediately fell out of his seat.
James? You okay? A few students near him leaned over in concern.
Fine, fine. Came a somewhat high pitched voice from under the table.
Sure?
You're Harry Potter, James all but breathed. Harry heard the usual hero worship in James's tone of voice and winced.
Yeah, yeah. Harry muttered, casting his eyes towards his plate.
Wow! I- I- I- uh- I can't- I just... can't- Ash reached over a clapped a hand over his mouth as he continued to stutter.
He's Harry Potter and you're James Balerd. Shake hands and stop stuttering. James extended his hand while Ash kept her hand wrapped over his mouth. James looked about to faint as Harry shook his hand.
Better? James nodded and Ash sat back down in her seat. Please don't do that again. She reached over again and wiped her hand off on his shirt.
A sudden burst of noise started and most of the first years jumped, eyes darting to the ceiling where the owls were streaming in. A reddish gold owl swooped in, a single letter strapped to his leg, looking ready to drop.
Heart's Blood! Ash called, sticking her arm in the air. She had to readjust since after trying to control it's dive, the owl just about slammed straight through the table. Oh you poor thing. Eat this. She ripped off a huge chunk of toast and gave it to the owl as she pulled the letter off his leg.
Who's the letter from?
My parents. Stupid woman can't even take care of an owl. The wonder trio barely heard the last sentence as she started muttering while she kept feeding the owl.
Your mum?
No, my caretaker. I'm from America. Do you actually think my parents would completely change their entire lives just so I could go to some school?
Guess not. Ron's ears started tingeing pink.
I'm sorry it's just... I don't like the person I'm living with. She's a complete ignoramus. Go up to the owlery. I'll check on you after dinner. I'll bring you some food. Heart's Blood hooted softly and tiredly flapped his way to the window. Half way there, two owls flew up and started helping him out and to the owlery.
What's your schedule say? The schedule's had been piled up on the end of the table when the students had filed in. Everyone found theirs by saying their name over the pile which then produced the right card.
I'm with the third years! Ash's eyes lit up in happiness and she looked towards Dumbledore, who raised his glass to her.
