BTW, Harry got a below average on his History of Magic exams. And sorry it
took so long. I was grounded for THREE weeks, and now I have the flu!-
Talon
It IS all your fault!-Raven.
Chapter 3 The Feast
The train stopped at Hogwarts with an immense screech, and they all filed untidily out, several minutes later. Together, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and even Holly squeezed into one of the thestrel drawn carriages. As they passed the large, reptilian horse-like beasts, Holly shivered slightly. Harry assumed she could see them as well. All along the bumpy ride up to the castle, Holly was uncharacteristically silent, despite the rather animated conversation the other four were sharing. In fact, judging by the way she looked out the window with that faint smile on her face, as though she were seeing something special and dear the others somehow couldn't detect, he decided that she would much rather exclude herself in that way than join in with them.
IN almost no time at all, the carriages had stopped and they had all piled out, stepping through the large, regal entrance doors to join the buzzing crowd of second through seventh year students. Amidst the waves of students, Harry spotted Luna Lovegood.
"Oy, Luna!" he called. Luna gave him her dreamy sort of misty smile and walked over to join them. Harry noticed that she was wearing her butterbeer bottle cap necklace again.
"Hello Harry." she said distantly. "Ron, Hermione, Neville. Oh, hello. I don't know you."
"Holly Brown. I'm American, Texan to be exact."
"I could tell."
A few feet away, Harry could hear some fifth year girls snickering.
"Look at that Ravenclaw! She's ridiculous."
"That's Loony Lovegood."
"Just look at her necklace!" Holly scowled and said nonchalantly in a quite loud voice:
"Why Luna, I love your necklace! Things like that are all the rage in America! Why, some people even wear bottle cap belts and safety pins on their shirts, all for fashion! It's totally the bomb!"
The Hufflpuffs decidedly gawked, then walked off. Holly grinned.
"You really like my necklace, then?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, it's really cool!"
"That girl's either painfully polite, or off her rocker!" Ron muttered in Harry's ear. Harry nodded as professor McGonagall strode into the hall. Odd. She was supposed to be up by the stairs waiting the first years.
"Professor, I-I didn't know where to go." Holly stammered.
"That's quite all right, Ms. Brown. I believe we've already discussed the special circumstances?"
"Yes'm."
"Then you already know which house you'll be entering. Now, if you'll excuse me." Professor McGonagall gave them all a curt nod and walked off briskly. Before Harry could say anything, the crowd of older students had pushed and shoved him off in the direction of the great hall. It was not until the crowd had dispersed that Harry was reunited with Ron, Neville, and Hermione.
"Where do you think-" Ron began, but Hermione interrupted him.
"Ravenclaw." she said simply, pointing off in the direction of the Ravenclaw table. Holly was seated between Cho and Luna, and by the looks of it, she didn't seem to be enjoying herself too terribly much. Cho was talking animatedly to her, and in reply, she had slumped back in her seat, looking painfully bored and aggravated. Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table just as the doors were flung open and Professor McGonagall walked in, holding a stool and ancient-looking hat, trailed closely by a small myriad of first-years. Once the Sorting Hat had been placed on the stool, a tear in the seam split open and it had begun to sing. Immediately, all voices in the Great Hall were hushed, everyone intent on the song.
Each year you hear another song Of welcome and admission To send you into your own house Where you begin your mission Although I split you up With a deadly guilt
The all of you are still a one Though you stand at a sword's hilt. The Ravenclaws alike their lady Who came from fairest glen With clever, wit, and able minds There's not a fix they could not mend
The Hufflepuffs with loyal hearts Shan't leave a friend behind Not at all unlike, from valley broad Came sweet Hufflpuff so kind
And not to mention Gryffindors Who're as courageous as no other Their master from the wild moor Without a matching brother And yet, there is still Slytherins Who take care of themselves. Old Salazar's ambition could Never have been deeper delved
To whom of these must you belong To keep you from a union And will you find that place correct To match your intuition
For years to pass and years to come I'll tell this tale to you For never will another be So honest and so true And here I am, awaiting you
Just slip me on your head I'll tell you where you ought to be
The Hufflepuffs with loyal hearts shan't leave a friend behind Not at all unlike, from valley broad Came sweet Hufflepuff so kind
And not to mention Gryffindors who're as courageous as no other their master from the wild moor without a matching brother
And yet, there is still Slytherins Who take care of themselves. Old Salazar's ambition could never have been deeper delved
To whom of these must you belong to keep you from a union And will you find that place correct to match your intuition For years to pass and years to come I'll tell this tale to you For never will another be so honest and so true And here I am, awaiting you Just slip me on your head I'll tell you where you ought to be
And yet, there is still Slytherins Who take care of themselves. Old Salazar's ambition could never have been deeper delved To whom of these must you belong To keep you from a union And will you find that place correct To match your intuition For years to pass and years to come I'll tell this tale to you For never will another be So honest and so true And here I am, awaiting you Just slip me on your head I'll tell you where you ought to be
The Great Hall erupted in applause as the Sorting hat gave a curt sort of bow and Professor McGonagall read "Albeen, Caroline" from her great list of first years.
"Look at the new defense against the dark arts teacher!" Hermione hissed. Harry glanced at the table. Seated next to Professor Sinistra and talking very avidly was a very young woman. Perhaps the youngest and most beautiful defense against the dark arts teacher they had ever been given. She had long, pale moonlike hair, and the most beautiful blue eyes Harry had ever-
"Fleur!" Ron gasped. "That's Fleur Delacour
!" Hermione sniffed indignantly, and scoffed. "I thought our food and decorative touches were too bland and boring for someone who'd gone to Beauxbatons!"
Ron shushed her, still staring avidly at the staff table.
"Bill mentioned her getting a new job." the Weasley murmured, eyes transfixed on the part-veela woman he had met two years or so ago. "I was too busy with Pig, though. I think he was choking on a treat."
"Isn't she a bit young?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head.
"She is of age, and she has graduated form Beauxbatons. And we all know how hard it is for Dumbledore to get a person for the job. I expect she was the only one who tried for it."
Ron pulled on a face contorted with sheer disgust.
"I can't believe I'm gonna have a teacher who's dating Bill!"
"You asked her out too." Harry reminded him. Ron groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"I'm sure she'll think very highly of you, Harry." Neville said simply. "You did save her sister. Harry sighed, staring down at his golden plate, as though willing it to fill with food. He distinctly heard Professor McGonagall call "Sickems, Jarod." and a rather tall, curly haired boy sat down on the stool. The hat hadbarely touched his head before crying out "Hufflepuff!" Rather than continue their conversation, they all watched quietly as one by one, the first years ambled up to be sorted. When finally, Yadernam, Christopher was sent to Slytherin, Dumbledore stood, beaming at them all.
"Welcome." he said pleasantly. "Welcome to yet another year. I feel it is my personal duty as headmaster to this school to remind you of several important aspects of this school. However, I am aware that it has been a long train ride for all of you and you would much rather eat our delicious feast than hear an old man's ramblings. So, I will limit my pre-feast speech to two fine words. Tuck in." And then he sat down again. In a second's notice, the empty plates and pitchers filled with pumpkin juice and a steaming medly of warm, hot foods. Needless to say, the entire hall dug in, the noise level steadily increasing as each person in turn began their own conversations . Harry was satisfied to watch Ron's obvious frustration at deciding whether to have the turkey or the ham.
"It's quiet, isn't it?" Harry jumped slightly, hearing Ginny's voice.
"Why aren't you sitting with all the other fifth years?" he asked. Ginny shrugged.
"They were all peppering me with questions about the Department of Mysteries. I couldn't take it." she paused for a moment, then. "It really is quiet without Fred and George."
"Trust me." Harry laughed. "We're all going to miss them, but there'll be some new pranksters soon." Ginny shook her head and muttered.
"It won't be the same."
"Come off it." Ron said, his mouth stuffed with turkey. "They still have their products. Personally, they've given me half a crate of free stuff, just because I sell for them!"
"Well, I think it's great that they won't be testing on unsuspecting first years anymore!" Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"It's not like they got hurt!" Ron muttered.
"We're prefects, Ron!"
Harry groaned slightly, sensing another argument, and turned his attention to the Ravenclaw table. Cho was now talking very quickly and excitedly to Holly, who looked as though she'd rather gag than continue listening. After a few minutes, she turned haughtily and said something very rude, because Cho looked suddenly as though she had been slapped. Holly repeated herself, and Cho huffily walked off to the other side of the table. Holly now looked rather pleased with herself.
When the final remains of cobbler and pudding disappeared (for the feast was always replaced with desserts) and the final students leaned back in their chairs with satisfactory smiles on their faces, Dumbledore stood once more.
"Well." he said. "I hope we have all enjoyed our magnificent feast. But now, I'm afraid, is the time for announcements. Mr. Filch has once again asked me to remind you that there is a list on his office door naming each and every item that is forbidden for use in the halls. I would recite it for you, except that as of this year, the list has reached a total of two hundred eighty-eight, and I'm afraid is much too long to recite out of memory.
"Also, I feel I must remind you that the forbidden forest is completely out of bounds to all students. The centaurs, who have lost all desire in peaceful relations with us, would serve as a reminder to all of you."
Harry and Hermione shifted uneasily in their chairs, and Harry noticed that their second Divination teacher, a centaur named Firenze, looked rather nervous.
"May I introduce our new student, Miss Holly Brown, who comes to us all the way from America."
Holly looked baffled at Dumbledore's mention of her presence, and blushed slightly, so that her skin was soon the same color as her auburn locks.
"And our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Fleur Delacour, from France"
A vivacious applause erupted from many of the boys in the hall, but several girls, like Hermione, just sniffed indignantly.
"Tryouts for the House quidditch teams will be posted on your school notice boards. Now, I'm sure you're all exhausted from your long train ride, so let me just say, I hope this year will be much, much more pleasant than the last. Goodnight all."
The Hall soon erupted with noise as tired students got up and began conversations, while agitated prefects struggled to get their attention.
"Oi! Hey, you first years!" Ron bellowed. "This way! Oi! Get over here you lot of midgets!"
"Ron!" Hermione scolded. Harry made his way up to Gryffindor tower where he might escape the noise. He sat heavily next to the portrait of the Fat Lady, awaiting anybody who might have the password. he didn't have to wait long. About a half an hour later, Neville Longbottom had made his way up the stairs along with Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Seamus Finnigan. Unsurprisingly, Harry and the others had to help Neville out of the trick stair. By then, it was a wonder Neville still got stuck in it, as it was elementary to so many others to skip it and go on to the next stair.
"Thanks." he said genuinely as they lifted him out. "Listen, Hermione told me the new password. It's treacle fudge."
Immediately, they portrait of the fat lady swung open and they ambled in. Yawning, they each made their way towards their own dormitories, changed into their pajamas, and curled up under their covers. a few seconds later, there was a great ruckus in the common room as Ron and Hermione led curious first years in. A few seconds later, Ron had wandered in and curled up on his own bed.
The next thing Harry knew, he was playing quidditch, trying to catch a chocolate frog rather than a snitch, while Holly, Luna, and Cho each played flutes on the field, wearing huge stuffed ravens on their heads. Hermione was sitting in the stands, chatting animatedly with Fleur about something, and Ron zoomed past him, crying-
"Wotchit Harry!" rather like Tonks.
Hmmmmm. So how about radom quirks.- Raven
Does anyone like that we set the story up like JKR? -Talon
READ REVIEW AND READ SOME MORE!!!! -Raven
Yeah.. what she said... -Talon
It IS all your fault!-Raven.
Chapter 3 The Feast
The train stopped at Hogwarts with an immense screech, and they all filed untidily out, several minutes later. Together, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and even Holly squeezed into one of the thestrel drawn carriages. As they passed the large, reptilian horse-like beasts, Holly shivered slightly. Harry assumed she could see them as well. All along the bumpy ride up to the castle, Holly was uncharacteristically silent, despite the rather animated conversation the other four were sharing. In fact, judging by the way she looked out the window with that faint smile on her face, as though she were seeing something special and dear the others somehow couldn't detect, he decided that she would much rather exclude herself in that way than join in with them.
IN almost no time at all, the carriages had stopped and they had all piled out, stepping through the large, regal entrance doors to join the buzzing crowd of second through seventh year students. Amidst the waves of students, Harry spotted Luna Lovegood.
"Oy, Luna!" he called. Luna gave him her dreamy sort of misty smile and walked over to join them. Harry noticed that she was wearing her butterbeer bottle cap necklace again.
"Hello Harry." she said distantly. "Ron, Hermione, Neville. Oh, hello. I don't know you."
"Holly Brown. I'm American, Texan to be exact."
"I could tell."
A few feet away, Harry could hear some fifth year girls snickering.
"Look at that Ravenclaw! She's ridiculous."
"That's Loony Lovegood."
"Just look at her necklace!" Holly scowled and said nonchalantly in a quite loud voice:
"Why Luna, I love your necklace! Things like that are all the rage in America! Why, some people even wear bottle cap belts and safety pins on their shirts, all for fashion! It's totally the bomb!"
The Hufflpuffs decidedly gawked, then walked off. Holly grinned.
"You really like my necklace, then?" Luna asked.
"Yeah, it's really cool!"
"That girl's either painfully polite, or off her rocker!" Ron muttered in Harry's ear. Harry nodded as professor McGonagall strode into the hall. Odd. She was supposed to be up by the stairs waiting the first years.
"Professor, I-I didn't know where to go." Holly stammered.
"That's quite all right, Ms. Brown. I believe we've already discussed the special circumstances?"
"Yes'm."
"Then you already know which house you'll be entering. Now, if you'll excuse me." Professor McGonagall gave them all a curt nod and walked off briskly. Before Harry could say anything, the crowd of older students had pushed and shoved him off in the direction of the great hall. It was not until the crowd had dispersed that Harry was reunited with Ron, Neville, and Hermione.
"Where do you think-" Ron began, but Hermione interrupted him.
"Ravenclaw." she said simply, pointing off in the direction of the Ravenclaw table. Holly was seated between Cho and Luna, and by the looks of it, she didn't seem to be enjoying herself too terribly much. Cho was talking animatedly to her, and in reply, she had slumped back in her seat, looking painfully bored and aggravated. Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table just as the doors were flung open and Professor McGonagall walked in, holding a stool and ancient-looking hat, trailed closely by a small myriad of first-years. Once the Sorting Hat had been placed on the stool, a tear in the seam split open and it had begun to sing. Immediately, all voices in the Great Hall were hushed, everyone intent on the song.
Each year you hear another song Of welcome and admission To send you into your own house Where you begin your mission Although I split you up With a deadly guilt
The all of you are still a one Though you stand at a sword's hilt. The Ravenclaws alike their lady Who came from fairest glen With clever, wit, and able minds There's not a fix they could not mend
The Hufflepuffs with loyal hearts Shan't leave a friend behind Not at all unlike, from valley broad Came sweet Hufflpuff so kind
And not to mention Gryffindors Who're as courageous as no other Their master from the wild moor Without a matching brother And yet, there is still Slytherins Who take care of themselves. Old Salazar's ambition could Never have been deeper delved
To whom of these must you belong To keep you from a union And will you find that place correct To match your intuition
For years to pass and years to come I'll tell this tale to you For never will another be So honest and so true And here I am, awaiting you
Just slip me on your head I'll tell you where you ought to be
The Hufflepuffs with loyal hearts shan't leave a friend behind Not at all unlike, from valley broad Came sweet Hufflepuff so kind
And not to mention Gryffindors who're as courageous as no other their master from the wild moor without a matching brother
And yet, there is still Slytherins Who take care of themselves. Old Salazar's ambition could never have been deeper delved
To whom of these must you belong to keep you from a union And will you find that place correct to match your intuition For years to pass and years to come I'll tell this tale to you For never will another be so honest and so true And here I am, awaiting you Just slip me on your head I'll tell you where you ought to be
And yet, there is still Slytherins Who take care of themselves. Old Salazar's ambition could never have been deeper delved To whom of these must you belong To keep you from a union And will you find that place correct To match your intuition For years to pass and years to come I'll tell this tale to you For never will another be So honest and so true And here I am, awaiting you Just slip me on your head I'll tell you where you ought to be
The Great Hall erupted in applause as the Sorting hat gave a curt sort of bow and Professor McGonagall read "Albeen, Caroline" from her great list of first years.
"Look at the new defense against the dark arts teacher!" Hermione hissed. Harry glanced at the table. Seated next to Professor Sinistra and talking very avidly was a very young woman. Perhaps the youngest and most beautiful defense against the dark arts teacher they had ever been given. She had long, pale moonlike hair, and the most beautiful blue eyes Harry had ever-
"Fleur!" Ron gasped. "That's Fleur Delacour
!" Hermione sniffed indignantly, and scoffed. "I thought our food and decorative touches were too bland and boring for someone who'd gone to Beauxbatons!"
Ron shushed her, still staring avidly at the staff table.
"Bill mentioned her getting a new job." the Weasley murmured, eyes transfixed on the part-veela woman he had met two years or so ago. "I was too busy with Pig, though. I think he was choking on a treat."
"Isn't she a bit young?" Harry asked. Hermione shook her head.
"She is of age, and she has graduated form Beauxbatons. And we all know how hard it is for Dumbledore to get a person for the job. I expect she was the only one who tried for it."
Ron pulled on a face contorted with sheer disgust.
"I can't believe I'm gonna have a teacher who's dating Bill!"
"You asked her out too." Harry reminded him. Ron groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"I'm sure she'll think very highly of you, Harry." Neville said simply. "You did save her sister. Harry sighed, staring down at his golden plate, as though willing it to fill with food. He distinctly heard Professor McGonagall call "Sickems, Jarod." and a rather tall, curly haired boy sat down on the stool. The hat hadbarely touched his head before crying out "Hufflepuff!" Rather than continue their conversation, they all watched quietly as one by one, the first years ambled up to be sorted. When finally, Yadernam, Christopher was sent to Slytherin, Dumbledore stood, beaming at them all.
"Welcome." he said pleasantly. "Welcome to yet another year. I feel it is my personal duty as headmaster to this school to remind you of several important aspects of this school. However, I am aware that it has been a long train ride for all of you and you would much rather eat our delicious feast than hear an old man's ramblings. So, I will limit my pre-feast speech to two fine words. Tuck in." And then he sat down again. In a second's notice, the empty plates and pitchers filled with pumpkin juice and a steaming medly of warm, hot foods. Needless to say, the entire hall dug in, the noise level steadily increasing as each person in turn began their own conversations . Harry was satisfied to watch Ron's obvious frustration at deciding whether to have the turkey or the ham.
"It's quiet, isn't it?" Harry jumped slightly, hearing Ginny's voice.
"Why aren't you sitting with all the other fifth years?" he asked. Ginny shrugged.
"They were all peppering me with questions about the Department of Mysteries. I couldn't take it." she paused for a moment, then. "It really is quiet without Fred and George."
"Trust me." Harry laughed. "We're all going to miss them, but there'll be some new pranksters soon." Ginny shook her head and muttered.
"It won't be the same."
"Come off it." Ron said, his mouth stuffed with turkey. "They still have their products. Personally, they've given me half a crate of free stuff, just because I sell for them!"
"Well, I think it's great that they won't be testing on unsuspecting first years anymore!" Hermione said matter-of-factly.
"It's not like they got hurt!" Ron muttered.
"We're prefects, Ron!"
Harry groaned slightly, sensing another argument, and turned his attention to the Ravenclaw table. Cho was now talking very quickly and excitedly to Holly, who looked as though she'd rather gag than continue listening. After a few minutes, she turned haughtily and said something very rude, because Cho looked suddenly as though she had been slapped. Holly repeated herself, and Cho huffily walked off to the other side of the table. Holly now looked rather pleased with herself.
When the final remains of cobbler and pudding disappeared (for the feast was always replaced with desserts) and the final students leaned back in their chairs with satisfactory smiles on their faces, Dumbledore stood once more.
"Well." he said. "I hope we have all enjoyed our magnificent feast. But now, I'm afraid, is the time for announcements. Mr. Filch has once again asked me to remind you that there is a list on his office door naming each and every item that is forbidden for use in the halls. I would recite it for you, except that as of this year, the list has reached a total of two hundred eighty-eight, and I'm afraid is much too long to recite out of memory.
"Also, I feel I must remind you that the forbidden forest is completely out of bounds to all students. The centaurs, who have lost all desire in peaceful relations with us, would serve as a reminder to all of you."
Harry and Hermione shifted uneasily in their chairs, and Harry noticed that their second Divination teacher, a centaur named Firenze, looked rather nervous.
"May I introduce our new student, Miss Holly Brown, who comes to us all the way from America."
Holly looked baffled at Dumbledore's mention of her presence, and blushed slightly, so that her skin was soon the same color as her auburn locks.
"And our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Miss Fleur Delacour, from France"
A vivacious applause erupted from many of the boys in the hall, but several girls, like Hermione, just sniffed indignantly.
"Tryouts for the House quidditch teams will be posted on your school notice boards. Now, I'm sure you're all exhausted from your long train ride, so let me just say, I hope this year will be much, much more pleasant than the last. Goodnight all."
The Hall soon erupted with noise as tired students got up and began conversations, while agitated prefects struggled to get their attention.
"Oi! Hey, you first years!" Ron bellowed. "This way! Oi! Get over here you lot of midgets!"
"Ron!" Hermione scolded. Harry made his way up to Gryffindor tower where he might escape the noise. He sat heavily next to the portrait of the Fat Lady, awaiting anybody who might have the password. he didn't have to wait long. About a half an hour later, Neville Longbottom had made his way up the stairs along with Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, Parvati Patil, and Seamus Finnigan. Unsurprisingly, Harry and the others had to help Neville out of the trick stair. By then, it was a wonder Neville still got stuck in it, as it was elementary to so many others to skip it and go on to the next stair.
"Thanks." he said genuinely as they lifted him out. "Listen, Hermione told me the new password. It's treacle fudge."
Immediately, they portrait of the fat lady swung open and they ambled in. Yawning, they each made their way towards their own dormitories, changed into their pajamas, and curled up under their covers. a few seconds later, there was a great ruckus in the common room as Ron and Hermione led curious first years in. A few seconds later, Ron had wandered in and curled up on his own bed.
The next thing Harry knew, he was playing quidditch, trying to catch a chocolate frog rather than a snitch, while Holly, Luna, and Cho each played flutes on the field, wearing huge stuffed ravens on their heads. Hermione was sitting in the stands, chatting animatedly with Fleur about something, and Ron zoomed past him, crying-
"Wotchit Harry!" rather like Tonks.
Hmmmmm. So how about radom quirks.- Raven
Does anyone like that we set the story up like JKR? -Talon
READ REVIEW AND READ SOME MORE!!!! -Raven
Yeah.. what she said... -Talon