CHAPTER ELEVEN: ARRIVAL


"Mom?" Nob asked carefully.

"What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything."

"Then what do you want?"

"I have homework."

"On your first day? What do you have to do?"

"The teacher wants me to think about what I want out of school."

"That's easy. You want to learn as much as you can so that when you grow up you will be able to help make the world a better place."

"WOW, if I thought to say that, I wouldn't have any homework at all."

As the boy ran off to play, Lois paused in thought.

"Nob, get back here. What DID you tell the teacher?"

*

"Francis, What are you thinking about?"

He looked up at his wife of barely a month. "I was thinking about my brothers, Piama. Malcolm will be starting school today."

"He's the smart one? What's his school like? Are they all as smart as him."

"No, but they are all wizards like him."

"Wizards? As in magic? Like Uncle Renakka?"

"Yeah. That's why your uncle hired me in the first place. He said he smelled magic on me."

Piama was shocked. "First of all, he's not my uncle. Everybody calls him that because he's so old. As far as smelling magic he uses that on every gullible kid who comes along. You never told me you were one of those nut cases."

"Nut cases?" Francis was surprised. "Magic is real. That's why I fell for Uncle Renakka's story. And he's weird enough that he might be telling the truth."

"Then prove it. Do some magic." Piama yelled.

"I can't do any magic," Francis yelled back. "My brother can. That's why I know it's real. I've seen him do it."

Piama stepped back. "It's not you, but it is your brother?"

"Yeah, and maybe Dewey, but it's hard to tell with him. He's already weird. Look, I'm sorry. I've been living with this for two years. I never thought, well . . ."

Piama smiled wryly. "I know. We all talk about Uncle Renakka. Naturally you thought we believed him."

"How can I make it up to you?"

"Have your brother show me magic when you get the chance." This time Piama grinned. "Until then . . ."

"I can do that.

*

Malcolm walked back to the compartment to find the first years waiting for him.

Anthony looked nervous. "How is he?" he asked.

"Awake and angry. We barely closed the door on him in time. Do you want a wand?"

Mitchell looked surprised. "You took his wand?"

"Either that or let him get out of there in a few seconds."

[I have a wonderful idea.]

"Anthony, would you like to go to Hogwarts? We have an opening."

"I was told about the Sorting Hat. I don't think I would make it."

"I know, but you've made it this far. You should get a proper look at the school."

"It would be fun," Jenny offered, "to start off my career at Hogwarts doing something like this."

"I'll be waiting at the school when you get there," Malcolm said. "I'll make sure there are no problems at the other end."

"It should be fun," Rose admitted. "Please, give it a try."

"You have my vote," Euan added.

"But I'm going to the school anyway," Anthony protested.

"But not as a first year," Malcolm said. "The rest of us just ride up the hill in carriages."

All five looked at Malcolm, then at each other, finally at Anthony.

"What do I have to do?"

"Leave it to me," Malcolm assured him. "I'll get Fred and George. They have experience at this."

"Has this happened before?" Rose asked.

"No, not exactly."

The five began to laugh as Malcolm left the compartment.

"Malcolm," Dewey called out. "Can you help me?"

"What do you need?"

"I need someone to cast a spell for me. It's a simple one."

"Wait a minute. I need to talk to Fred and George."

He opened the door. "Hi guys, I've got a question. How hard would it be to sneak Anthony in with the first years."

"Who's Anthony," Dewey asked.

"He came with Reese," Malcolm answered.

"Reese is here?"

"Yeah. So, guys, would it be a problem? I've got a wand for him already."

"What about my spell?" Dewey asked. "It's important."

"I'll take care of this," Lee said as he got up and walked out with the young boy. "What kind of spell do you need?"

"There's this boy trapped in the bathroom and he keeps screaming. Can you put a silence spell on him?"

Fred and George grinned at Malcolm. "Haven't we done this before?"

"Yeah, but it turns out that they knew I was coming."

"Since we know what to do, consider it done. Send the mark over."

"He means Anthony, Malcolm."

[Like I don't know what a mark is. I've been one plenty of times.]

*

"That's curious," Draco said.

"What?" Crabbe asked.

"I think we walked past a silencing spell. Did you notice how the sound of the train faded out on one side?"

"No."

"I'm not surprised." He looked down the corridor. "Dewey? Did Snape let you out?"

"He fell asleep. I was looking out for Reese."

Draco patted the wand in his robe. "It is a curious coincidence. Reese fell asleep as well."

Dewey sighed with relief. "After Malcolm, the last thing I wanted was to find Reese."

Draco smirked. "Then why did you want to know where he was?"

Dewey looked up at Draco as though he was talking down to him. "So I know where not to be."

"That makes sense," Goyle admitted.

"You're right," Draco agreed. "I'm surprised. Dewey, would you care to join us. I'm making the usual rounds to remind people that I am still here. It's very annoying yet fun at the same time."

Dewey scowled. "I guess it depends on which side you're on."

"Exactly." Draco smiled.

"OK."

"Excellent, I think I remember some fourth year Hufflepuffs in this compartment."

*

Severus Snape awoke in the empty compartment and began cursing immediately. He left the compartment and began walking down the corridor. He paused at one point when he noticed the silencing spell.

"Finite Incantatum," he said in irritation.

". . . inking mudbloods. I'll get you if I ever get out of here."

"Really? And what will you do if I don't let you out?"

Silence.

"Much better," Snape said and pointed his wand at the door. "Alohamora."

Matthew Zeller, redfaced, blackeyed and disheveled, stepped out.

"There is no need to ask what happened or why. It is obvious from your attitude and appearance. Where is your compartment?"

"It's in the fourth car."

"This is the fourth car."

"That one there. Sir, they stole my wand. They were Weasleys, Sir."

"I am surprised to hear that," Severus sneered. "We're almost to the station. Get ready and then we'll find your wand."

"Yes, Sir." Matthew Zeller was cowed by the Professor's demeanor and expected little help.

*

"You look like a promising wizard," Fred told Anthony.

"One more thing," Malcolm said and pulled the stolen wand from his robes and placed in the pocket of Anthony's robes. "Don't try to use it."

"I won't," Anthony said. "It may be magic to you but to me it's only a stick."

Malcolm looked at Dewey. "And don't forget your promise."

I won't," Dewey said pointedly.

"Is everyone ready?" George said, as the train stopped. He opened the door, and Severus Snape walked in with the Zeller boy.

"Everyone will sit down, NOW."

"He's the one who hit me," Matthew said, pointing at Anthony.

"Sit down." Mathew Zeller sat. "Stand up." Anthony stood up. Severus reached into the boy's robes and pulled out the stolen wand. Without ceremony he handed it back to its rightful owner. "Sit." Anthony sat.

"I can explain, Professor Snape," Malcolm said.

Matthew Zeller smiled as he heard the name of his escort. His hopes for revenge began to rise. They began to fall just as quickly when Snape glared at him.

"This should be interesting." Snape was not smiling.

"Reese came on board with Anthony after throwing another boy off of his own train. Draco hit him with a sleep spell and we were going to send Anthony to the school with the first years since he has to go there anyway."

[Telling him about Reese should keep him from asking the wrong questions.]

"And why did he hit this boy,"

"Because Zeller is a jerk."

"And why did he steal his wand."

"I did that. He was a danger with it."

"And the silencing spell?"

Lee Jordan raised his hand. "I did that because all of his screaming about . . . Well, all his screaming was bothering the other students."

"And you are a muggle?"

Anthony nodded.

"He's a what?" Matthew Zeller asked in surprise.

"A muggle, Master Zeller," Severus Snape said evenly. "You were bested by one of those incompetent excuses for a human being that you were telling me about. Now, Shut Up."

[This is why I like Professor Snape. He hates everybody equally. Except for Draco, but there's no accounting for taste.]

Severus began issuing orders. "Malcolm, you will fly to the school and tell Professor Dumbledore what the situation is."

"Yes, Sir," Malcolm said. He opened the window and jumped out, changing into an owl.

"COR," two voices shouted, and Anthony and Matthew looked at each other, and grinned in spite of themselves.

"Dewey, you will escort these two boys to the boats. Hopefully, they will use this time to come to some sort of understanding. If not, you have my permission to kick both of them out, and let the giant squid take care of them."

"Cool," Dewey said as Anthony and Matthew swallowed hard. "Follow me. NOW."

Snape looked at the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan. "The only reason this ends here is because Matthew is even more obnoxious than Dewey. Leave now before I decide we should meet in my office for a few nights."

Severus Snape smiled as he found himself alone in the compartment. He stepped off the train and found Argus Filch and informed him of the sleeping boy on the train. Argus nodded and assured the Potions Professor that he would take care of Reese. Then Severus stopped in his tracks.

"Albus will kill me. I've sent a muggle up to the school." He stormed off with the intention of killing Malcolm first.

*

"Where's Hagrid?" Dewey asked.

"He's late returning to the school," the lady told him. "I'll be teaching his class until he returns. Are you a friend of his?"

"Yes, I am. He hates my brother."

"That's, uh, nice dear. You and your friends run along now."

"You've been here before?" Anthony asked.

"Lots of times, but I've never sailed across the lake."

Dewey climbed in a boat, and motioned the other two to follow him.

"You first," Matthew said, failing to hold back a sneer."

"Listen, you eleven year old snot," Anthony said in response. "For fourteen years, I was always told that magic wasn't real, and today I found out that was wrong. Why don't you think carefully about what your parents told you. They might be wrong about something."

"And you would know," Matthew retorted.

"I've three years on you. I think I know a little more than you do." He pointed at the younger boy's black eye. "Get in, and be civil. I want to enjoy this trip."

Matthew gave him a scornful look but got into the boat. He also kept his mouth shut for most of the trip, opening it only when he saw Hogwarts for the first time."

"This is GREAT," Dewey said for all of them.

*

Professor Grubbly-Plank knocked three times on the great oaken door that was the entrance to Hogwarts. Anthony was with Rose and the others, while Matthew stood near them, but far enough away to show that he wasn't with them. As the doors opened, Matthew noticed Dewey, and noticed that he was looking up. He followed his gaze and spotted the boy, Malcolm, sitting on a gargoyle near the top of the building.

"Professor McGonagall, these are the first years."

"Professor Mcgo . . ." a girl called out.

"It's McGonagall, dear. What did you want?"

The girl pointed up. "There's a boy sitting on the ledge up there."

McGonagall frowned. "Malcolm, come down here this instant," she shouted.

Matthew glanced quickly to where Anthony was, and their eyes met. Despite their differences, they shared another smile, this one in anticipation.

"I'll be right down," Malcolm called out, and jumped off the side of the building.

The first years screamed as they saw the boy fall and several of them covered their eyes in fear, thus missing the transformation. Those who watched in morbid fascination saw Malcolm shrivel and spout feathers. They laughing in delight and awe as an owl landed on McGonagall's outstretched arm, giving her an affectionate nip on the ear.

Without mentioning what had happened, she ushered the first years in and to a side room off the Great Hall. "You will wait here until you are ready to be sorted into your houses. We have four of them. Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin. When we are ready for you we will call you into the Hall. Also, there is a guest among you." At Malcolm's prompting she pointed to Anthony. "Malcolm will escort you to the Gryffindor table, young man."

Obediently, Malcolm flew over and hovered until Anthony held his hand out, then perched on his upper arm. Conscious that everyone was watching him, Anthony walked in the direction that McGonagall pointed. As he left the room, he heard McGonagall say, "If any of you end up in Gryffindor, you have fair warning of what you have to deal with."

*

The Potions Professor stopped Albus Dumbledore as he carried the Sorting Hat into the Great Hall from the room behind the teachers table."

"Albus, I am sorry for what happened with the boy."

"Do not worry, Severus. He and Reese were noticed boarding the train, but we did have other problems to deal with. I would have told you to do exactly what you have done, although I think it was a nice gesture on your part to send him with the first years."

Snape bit back a remark about making a gesture when he spotted the muggle boy walk in with a owl on his shoulder. "I am reminded that Malcolm's brother is among them."

"I heard that as well,"Professor Sprout said as she walked up to the pair. Looking directly at the hat, she added, "while he would be a welcome addition to my house, his attributes are clearly in other areas. While it will be a loss for Hufflepuff, we know it is best if he were placed in another house."

"I agree," Professor Flitwick said suddenly. "While he is not the brightest boy, which any reasonable, um, person can see, his courage, diligence and ambition makes him well suited for any house. Except mine, I regret to say."

Albus looked at Severus with a twinkle in his eye. "You were giving me your opinion?"

"I would be more straightforward than my fellow collegues. The boy does not belong in my house for any reason." He actually glared at the hat. "You do need a good cleaning. Perhaps I can find the appropriate potion. Something that isn't too . . . caustic."

"I will keep that in mind, Severus."

"I am curious, Headmaster. Did Professor McGonagall express her views on the subject."

Albus smiled. "She told me she was preparing for the worst. If you will excuse me, I need to place the Hat so that we may begin the sorting."

*

Anthony walked toward the Great Hall, delighted at the boy-who-was-an-owl sitting on his arm. As he approached the entrance a man holding a cat stepped out to look at him. Anthony stared at him in surprise.

"Headmaster? What are you doing here?" He paused. "What happened to you?"

The man stood there smiling. "You're the muggle we were warned about. Well, while you're here you are under my eye. And I'll warn you now. I'm not as friendly as my brother is."

Anthony tried to picture sour old Hector Filch as friendly, and failed, but his fear of his headmaster's twin brother fled when the cat began to purr loudly as it looked directly at the owl. Then the cat began to squirm in Filch's hand while the owl tried to change arms.

"No, Mrs, Norris. Not Malcolm. You have a job to do. Get out of here boy and take that ruddy owl with you."

With a grin he couldn't control, Anthony walked into the Great Hall and stopped. He was still staring when he realized that Malcolm was human again, and standing next to him.

"Let's get some seats. Dumbledore wants to talk to you after the feast, but we have to have the sorting first. You're going to be here for a while."

"As long as I can eat. I'm starving."

"Here," Malcolm said as they found two empty spots. "Anthony, this is EJ and Amber. They're in my year. You remember Colin, and that's his brother, Dennis. Guys, this is Anthony. He's taking Reese's place by popular demand."

"I'm only visiting," Anthony explained. "Malcolm is giving me the tour."

"Where do you go to school?" Amber asked, and they began a discussion interrupted by the first years walking in.

"Malcolm," EJ said. "That's Dewey."

"Yeah, he had an accident and now he's a year older."

[I noticed something. Every time I explain about Dewey the conversation stops.]

"So, Amber. How was your summer?"

"Dewey is a year older?"

"Yeah."

[See what I mean? Let me try with someone else.]

"Dennis. Where were you? Colin and I looked for you everywhere."

Dennis Creevey grinned widely. "Do you know how, when you go between cars, you go from one car directly into the next car?"

"I did notice," Anthony admitted.

"I tried to actually go between the cars, and it worked. This is the great part. I couldn't get back in the train. Every time I walked though a door, I ended up between the next two cars. I spent almost the entire trip on the back of the last car. The scenery was great."

The conversation ended as the Sorting Hat began to sing it's annual song, but this time it was a warning about trouble ahead and the need to stand together. Malcolm found himself scratching his chest where the scars used to cross.