And here's Hogwarts. Plot twists galore, I promise. Once again, Cole has a
problem with language, that I hope is not too offending.
******'
The 1st of September. The day Hogwarts' term began. The day Hogwarts Express left platform 9 ¾. The day when Cole McLaughlin would step through the doors of the Great Hall for the first time. If he could get out of bed, that was.
Currently, he didn't even dare breathe loudly, in fear the Mrs Black would wake up and start screeching again. Cautiously, he got out of bed, gathered up his things, and crept out of his room, as silently as he could.
Snape had promised to meet him here at Grimmauld Place, to pick him up. Apparently, most Hogwarts students got to the school by train, but they would Apparate to some place called Hogsmeade, and then walk to the school from there. You couldn't Apparate directly to the school since there was some ban put on it, or so he was told.
He managed to get down to the door without Mrs Black waking up and taking notice, and waited in the kitchen for Snape to come and get him. Tonks, who had a habit of sleeping late whenever she could, wasn't up yet, and there were no other people in the house, so he had to eat breakfast by himself.
Never being one to bother with cooking something when there was anything he could eat uncooked and fast, he made himself a bowl of cereal. He ate it sitting on the countertop, every now and then setting the bowl down to check something in his textbooks.
It was close to lunch time when Snape came into the kitchen, dressed in what could only be a tent, dyed black. On closer inspection, it turned out to be robes.
"Seriously, Snape, if I look anything like you in my robes, I'm going to be a fashion-suicide. You look like a bloody bat." Cole remarked.
"Speaking of fashion suicides, you might want to change into you school robes; a sweater with the word ´SPIT´ in the front isn't exactly everyone's idea of good-looking." Snape sneered.
"I'm telling you, it's S.P.I.T, not spit!" Cole grumbled, but did change into his robes.
When he was done, he turned back to Snape.
"See, I'm done. Can we leave now? This place gives me the creeps." He said.
"Yes, come along then." Snape said.
They walked quickly to Diagon Alley, where the patrons of the Leaky Cauldron looked at them suspiciously. One glare from Snape immediately made them look away again. Snape informed him that the other students would arrive at Hogwarts near dinner time, and that they had some time to spend before Apparating.
That time was spent in the Leaky Cauldron, reading in Cole's case, and going through lesson plans in Snape's case. The day went by faster than they had anticipated, and when it was nearing dinner time, Snape Apparated them to Hogsmeade.
******'
Cole steadied himself, looking around, disorientated. Snape grabbed his arm and started dragging him away from the village. Muttering under his breath, Cole followed him as fast as he could, trying to keep in his feet.
Suddenly, a large castle loomed into view. It was located on top of a cliff, bordering on a dark forest. In front of it was a lake, glittering in the moonlight, for darkness had fallen a short while ago. Apparently, this was their destination.
Cole was impressed; it's not every day you get to go to school in a castle fit for kings, and this castle seemed ancient. He asked Snape about it, and for a moment the lack haired mans face lit up, but then he put on that sneer again.
"Why don't you read Hogwarts; A History?" He asked.
"Sheesh, calm down, will you? I get to go to school in a freaking castle; I'm bound to have some bloody questions." Cole muttered.
"Save them for later; we're running late for the Sorting Ceremony." Snape snapped.
"Don't be so damn angry, Snape, I'm only asking questions." Cole said, giving up on him.
******'
The whole student body, as well as the teachers, were assembled in the Great Hall. The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin, or should have begun several minutes ago, but Professor Snape wasn't there yet, so they were forced to wait. Meanwhile, the first years were getting more and more nervous, glancing at each other and everything around them, nearly chewing on their fingernails.
Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall were thrown open, and in marched Snape, dragging a boy behind him. The surly Potions Master dragged the boy to where the first years were standing and then took his place at the High Table.
Whispers broke out in the Hall as the students stared at the newcomer. He looked to be about seventeen years old, and had black hair that reached a little past his shoulders, blue eyes and a pale complexion. The only thing that set him apart from the seventh years at Hogwarts was his decision to leave off shaving, for a wispy beard had grown on his chin and jaws.
McGonagall cleared her throat loudly, and silence fell. Fixing the students with her best stern glare, she started to read out the names of the first years.
"Bones, Terrence." She read, and a small boy with blond hair stepped up to the Sorting Hat.
He put it on, and after only a seconds hesitation, the hat sorted him into Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff table cheered loudly as he sat down among them, and the other Houses clapped politely, with the exception of Slytherin, who booed.
The Sorting went on, and each House got new members. Finally they reached whom they all had been waiting for.
"McLaughlin, Cole."
Silence once again fell over the Hall, as they watched the black haired boy walk up to the Sorting Hat.
******'
Cole waited and waited, growing bored because his name was never called. When it was, he had almost fallen asleep standing, but blinked a few times and walked up to the patched hat they all referred to as ´Sorting Hat´. Somehow, they managed to pronounce the capital letters.
He put the hat on his head, and waited. And waited. The hat was silent for a long while, before he heard a thin voice in his ear.
"Hmm. Well, it doesn't hurt to try, and it's the best House for you." It said.
He blinked, and nearly jumped out of his seat when the hat screamed loudly.
"Slytherin!"
He pulled the hat off again, and stood up. The table furthest from the door was cheering loudly, nearly screaming. Two of the other tables were clapping in a sort of half-hearted way, but the third was absolutely silent, and all its occupants were glaring at him as if he had just mortally offended them. He shrugged and walked towards the cheering table.
He didn't know where to sit, but a boy with almost ridiculously white-blond hair waved him over, gesturing for him to sit down next to him. He extended a hand for Cole to shake, which he did.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. Welcome to Slytherin." The boy said, grinning.
"No need to tell you my name." Cole said as they shook hands.
"No, the whole Hall heard you. Look out for the Gryffindors, by the way, they hate our guts." Draco warned.
"Why?" Cole asked, glancing over at the table Draco had indicated.
"We're Slytherins. Do they need another reason?" Draco shrugged.
Cole was just about to ask him about it when a girl with blond hair and blue eyes that seemed shallow started clinging to Draco's arm. Draco let out a long suffering sigh, and rolled his eyes heavenward.
"Draky! I've missed you so much!" The blond girl simpered.
Cole flinched at the sound of her voice; it was like a train-whistle at its worst.
"Whatever. Cole, this is Pansy." Draco said, grimacing.
Cole bit back a laugh at her name, and watched as Draco shook her off. Even after only a minute in Pansy's company, he knew that he would never be a friend of hers; she was just too whiny and bratty.
"We all ignore Pansy as much as possible. The only reason we tolerate her is that her parents are stinking rich and powerful." A calm voice said, from his right side.
He turned and met the gaze of a black-haired girl with calm grey eyes.
"And you are?" He asked.
"How rude of me; I'm Blaise Zabini. Pleased to meet you." The girl extended her hand for him to shake, and he did so. "Hope you make yourself at home with the Slytherins."
"Doesn't seem like I have a choice." Cole snorted.
"Sadly, no. We're going to be just like your family here, including all the sibling-fights." Blaise smiled.
"I'm an only child, but if anyone messes with me, I'll make him shut the fuck up." Cole promised. "Besides, getting beaten the shit out of makes you humble."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, and exchanged a glance with Draco. All Slytherins were Purebloods, and they were brought up properly, and spoke very classy English. None of them would even think about using the words ´fuck´ and ´shit´ in a normal conversation. That would be breaking the rules of conduct. There was something very odd about Cole McLaughlin.
Cole noticed of course, but didn't say anything. He knew he had to talk to Snape about his fellow Slytherins. He felt out of place with them, and wondered at why they were so abhorred by the Gryffindors. He sank lower in his seat, and watched the Sorting.
******'
The Slytherins were walking down the corridors, towards their Common Room in the dungeons. Cole noticed that a few of the Gryffindor students were eying him suspiciously. They looked at Draco with nothing but hatred and neither of the other Slytherins were looked at much differently.
He shrugged it off as petty rivalry, and followed his House-mates to the Common Room. They reached what looked like a blank wall, and Draco stopped. He turned to Cole, and inclined his head.
"Since you're the newest member of the Slytherin House, I thought I'd let you choose a password." He said.
Cole grinned and nodded. He said the first thing that came to mind.
"Mithrandir." He said.
"Mithrandir it is then." Draco nodded, and the wall swung open.
It revealed a long room, with a fireplace in the opposite wall. The floor was covered in rugs, green, black and grey, and the walls were hung with what Cole supposed was the Slytherin shield.
Draco clapped a hand on his shoulder, making him jump.
"Welcome to the Slytherin Common Room, Cole, where no Mudblood has ever set foot." The blond said.
"Until now, that is." An amused voice came from the entrance.
Draco spun around and looked at his Head of House, with one eyebrow raised.
"What are you talking about, sir?" He asked.
"McLaughlin here is Muggle-born, so you might want to stop using the term ´Mudblood´." Snape advised.
Draco stared at him, making him feel rather uncomfortable. Deciding to humour him a bit, Cole gave a small wave and grinned.
"Stop that, McLaughlin; you look like a demented Hufflepuff." Snape told him.
"And you look like an overgrown bat with a tent-wearing complex. Anything else, Snape?" Cole shot back.
"You address me as sir or professor, McLaughlin; I am your teacher." Snape glared at him.
"Does it look like I give a fuck?" Cole shrugged.
Draco gaped at him; not even he, Snape's favourite student, dared to talk back to him like that, and here was Cole McLaughlin, a lowly Muggle-born, telling Snape he looked like an overgrown bat, and to his face!
"Honestly, sir, you could at least warn us before you throw Muggle-born wizards at us; we didn't even have time to clean up." Blaise commented from the doorway of the girls dorms.
"Ms Zabini, I fail to see any need to clean up; the Slytherin Common Room is always clean. Hogwarts do have House Elves."
"Not if Granger gets her way."
"Ah, yes. There's someone you should get to know, McLaughlin; you'd understand each other. Spit and spew." Snape sneered. "Now, Ms Zabini, Mr Malfoy you will treat McLaughlin like any other Slytherin. If I hear you harass him because he is Muggle-born, you'll have to answer to me."
With that, he swept out of the room, leaving the three of them alone. Draco was staring at Cole, looking like someone had dropped the whole world on his head. Blaise chuckled at him, and walked up to slap him over the head.
"This is the real world calling, Mr Draco Malfoy. Anyone home?" She asked, laughing.
"Ye-es, but how? A Mud-, I mean Muggle-born in Slytherin? That doesn't happen!" Draco exclaimed, waving his arms for emphasis.
"Sorry to disrupt your view of the world, Draco, but it seems I'm here to stay." Cole chuckled at his expression.
"Alright then." Draco said, but he still seemed a bit dazed. "I'll show you to the seventh year dorms."
*****'
The rooms were decorated much like the Common Room was, with four-poster beds and green rugs. There were four beds in the room, and two of them were already occupied by what looked like gorillas.
Cole looked at them, puzzled, and he heard Draco snort. He turned his head, and raised an eyebrow.
"Exhibit A is Gregory Goyle, exhibit B is Vincent Crabbe. Or maybe it's the other way around; not even the teachers can tell them apart. I doubt even their mothers can do that." Draco said, smirking.
"Rrrright. Lessons tomorrow?" Cole changed subjects.
"Yeah; Double Potions with the Gryffindors, first thing in the morning. Hope we live through it. Longbottom has a habit of blowing up cauldrons. Wanna bet on how far he makes it this time? I'm betting fifteen minutes." Draco said, grinning now.
"Alright, I'll bet half an hour. Whoever's the closest wins, deal?" Cole said, not having a clue who Longbottom was.
"Deal. Winner gets a Galleon."
"Sure."
All he had to do now was find out what the hell a Galleon was. He undressed and took the bed closest to the door. A few minutes ticked by, and Cole put his head under the pillow, trying to block out the snores of Crabbe and Goyle.
If someone had told him two weeks ago, that he would be lying in a four- poster bed in a magical castle, being a wizard himself, and having been sorted into a House named Slytherin, he would have laughed at them, if he had the energy to. His attempts to get some sleep were interrupted by an exceptionally loud snore from Crabbe or Goyle, he didn't know which one. Sighing to himself, he clutched the pillow tighter around his head, and tired to sleep.
******'
******'
The 1st of September. The day Hogwarts' term began. The day Hogwarts Express left platform 9 ¾. The day when Cole McLaughlin would step through the doors of the Great Hall for the first time. If he could get out of bed, that was.
Currently, he didn't even dare breathe loudly, in fear the Mrs Black would wake up and start screeching again. Cautiously, he got out of bed, gathered up his things, and crept out of his room, as silently as he could.
Snape had promised to meet him here at Grimmauld Place, to pick him up. Apparently, most Hogwarts students got to the school by train, but they would Apparate to some place called Hogsmeade, and then walk to the school from there. You couldn't Apparate directly to the school since there was some ban put on it, or so he was told.
He managed to get down to the door without Mrs Black waking up and taking notice, and waited in the kitchen for Snape to come and get him. Tonks, who had a habit of sleeping late whenever she could, wasn't up yet, and there were no other people in the house, so he had to eat breakfast by himself.
Never being one to bother with cooking something when there was anything he could eat uncooked and fast, he made himself a bowl of cereal. He ate it sitting on the countertop, every now and then setting the bowl down to check something in his textbooks.
It was close to lunch time when Snape came into the kitchen, dressed in what could only be a tent, dyed black. On closer inspection, it turned out to be robes.
"Seriously, Snape, if I look anything like you in my robes, I'm going to be a fashion-suicide. You look like a bloody bat." Cole remarked.
"Speaking of fashion suicides, you might want to change into you school robes; a sweater with the word ´SPIT´ in the front isn't exactly everyone's idea of good-looking." Snape sneered.
"I'm telling you, it's S.P.I.T, not spit!" Cole grumbled, but did change into his robes.
When he was done, he turned back to Snape.
"See, I'm done. Can we leave now? This place gives me the creeps." He said.
"Yes, come along then." Snape said.
They walked quickly to Diagon Alley, where the patrons of the Leaky Cauldron looked at them suspiciously. One glare from Snape immediately made them look away again. Snape informed him that the other students would arrive at Hogwarts near dinner time, and that they had some time to spend before Apparating.
That time was spent in the Leaky Cauldron, reading in Cole's case, and going through lesson plans in Snape's case. The day went by faster than they had anticipated, and when it was nearing dinner time, Snape Apparated them to Hogsmeade.
******'
Cole steadied himself, looking around, disorientated. Snape grabbed his arm and started dragging him away from the village. Muttering under his breath, Cole followed him as fast as he could, trying to keep in his feet.
Suddenly, a large castle loomed into view. It was located on top of a cliff, bordering on a dark forest. In front of it was a lake, glittering in the moonlight, for darkness had fallen a short while ago. Apparently, this was their destination.
Cole was impressed; it's not every day you get to go to school in a castle fit for kings, and this castle seemed ancient. He asked Snape about it, and for a moment the lack haired mans face lit up, but then he put on that sneer again.
"Why don't you read Hogwarts; A History?" He asked.
"Sheesh, calm down, will you? I get to go to school in a freaking castle; I'm bound to have some bloody questions." Cole muttered.
"Save them for later; we're running late for the Sorting Ceremony." Snape snapped.
"Don't be so damn angry, Snape, I'm only asking questions." Cole said, giving up on him.
******'
The whole student body, as well as the teachers, were assembled in the Great Hall. The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin, or should have begun several minutes ago, but Professor Snape wasn't there yet, so they were forced to wait. Meanwhile, the first years were getting more and more nervous, glancing at each other and everything around them, nearly chewing on their fingernails.
Suddenly, the doors to the Great Hall were thrown open, and in marched Snape, dragging a boy behind him. The surly Potions Master dragged the boy to where the first years were standing and then took his place at the High Table.
Whispers broke out in the Hall as the students stared at the newcomer. He looked to be about seventeen years old, and had black hair that reached a little past his shoulders, blue eyes and a pale complexion. The only thing that set him apart from the seventh years at Hogwarts was his decision to leave off shaving, for a wispy beard had grown on his chin and jaws.
McGonagall cleared her throat loudly, and silence fell. Fixing the students with her best stern glare, she started to read out the names of the first years.
"Bones, Terrence." She read, and a small boy with blond hair stepped up to the Sorting Hat.
He put it on, and after only a seconds hesitation, the hat sorted him into Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff table cheered loudly as he sat down among them, and the other Houses clapped politely, with the exception of Slytherin, who booed.
The Sorting went on, and each House got new members. Finally they reached whom they all had been waiting for.
"McLaughlin, Cole."
Silence once again fell over the Hall, as they watched the black haired boy walk up to the Sorting Hat.
******'
Cole waited and waited, growing bored because his name was never called. When it was, he had almost fallen asleep standing, but blinked a few times and walked up to the patched hat they all referred to as ´Sorting Hat´. Somehow, they managed to pronounce the capital letters.
He put the hat on his head, and waited. And waited. The hat was silent for a long while, before he heard a thin voice in his ear.
"Hmm. Well, it doesn't hurt to try, and it's the best House for you." It said.
He blinked, and nearly jumped out of his seat when the hat screamed loudly.
"Slytherin!"
He pulled the hat off again, and stood up. The table furthest from the door was cheering loudly, nearly screaming. Two of the other tables were clapping in a sort of half-hearted way, but the third was absolutely silent, and all its occupants were glaring at him as if he had just mortally offended them. He shrugged and walked towards the cheering table.
He didn't know where to sit, but a boy with almost ridiculously white-blond hair waved him over, gesturing for him to sit down next to him. He extended a hand for Cole to shake, which he did.
"I'm Draco Malfoy. Welcome to Slytherin." The boy said, grinning.
"No need to tell you my name." Cole said as they shook hands.
"No, the whole Hall heard you. Look out for the Gryffindors, by the way, they hate our guts." Draco warned.
"Why?" Cole asked, glancing over at the table Draco had indicated.
"We're Slytherins. Do they need another reason?" Draco shrugged.
Cole was just about to ask him about it when a girl with blond hair and blue eyes that seemed shallow started clinging to Draco's arm. Draco let out a long suffering sigh, and rolled his eyes heavenward.
"Draky! I've missed you so much!" The blond girl simpered.
Cole flinched at the sound of her voice; it was like a train-whistle at its worst.
"Whatever. Cole, this is Pansy." Draco said, grimacing.
Cole bit back a laugh at her name, and watched as Draco shook her off. Even after only a minute in Pansy's company, he knew that he would never be a friend of hers; she was just too whiny and bratty.
"We all ignore Pansy as much as possible. The only reason we tolerate her is that her parents are stinking rich and powerful." A calm voice said, from his right side.
He turned and met the gaze of a black-haired girl with calm grey eyes.
"And you are?" He asked.
"How rude of me; I'm Blaise Zabini. Pleased to meet you." The girl extended her hand for him to shake, and he did so. "Hope you make yourself at home with the Slytherins."
"Doesn't seem like I have a choice." Cole snorted.
"Sadly, no. We're going to be just like your family here, including all the sibling-fights." Blaise smiled.
"I'm an only child, but if anyone messes with me, I'll make him shut the fuck up." Cole promised. "Besides, getting beaten the shit out of makes you humble."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, and exchanged a glance with Draco. All Slytherins were Purebloods, and they were brought up properly, and spoke very classy English. None of them would even think about using the words ´fuck´ and ´shit´ in a normal conversation. That would be breaking the rules of conduct. There was something very odd about Cole McLaughlin.
Cole noticed of course, but didn't say anything. He knew he had to talk to Snape about his fellow Slytherins. He felt out of place with them, and wondered at why they were so abhorred by the Gryffindors. He sank lower in his seat, and watched the Sorting.
******'
The Slytherins were walking down the corridors, towards their Common Room in the dungeons. Cole noticed that a few of the Gryffindor students were eying him suspiciously. They looked at Draco with nothing but hatred and neither of the other Slytherins were looked at much differently.
He shrugged it off as petty rivalry, and followed his House-mates to the Common Room. They reached what looked like a blank wall, and Draco stopped. He turned to Cole, and inclined his head.
"Since you're the newest member of the Slytherin House, I thought I'd let you choose a password." He said.
Cole grinned and nodded. He said the first thing that came to mind.
"Mithrandir." He said.
"Mithrandir it is then." Draco nodded, and the wall swung open.
It revealed a long room, with a fireplace in the opposite wall. The floor was covered in rugs, green, black and grey, and the walls were hung with what Cole supposed was the Slytherin shield.
Draco clapped a hand on his shoulder, making him jump.
"Welcome to the Slytherin Common Room, Cole, where no Mudblood has ever set foot." The blond said.
"Until now, that is." An amused voice came from the entrance.
Draco spun around and looked at his Head of House, with one eyebrow raised.
"What are you talking about, sir?" He asked.
"McLaughlin here is Muggle-born, so you might want to stop using the term ´Mudblood´." Snape advised.
Draco stared at him, making him feel rather uncomfortable. Deciding to humour him a bit, Cole gave a small wave and grinned.
"Stop that, McLaughlin; you look like a demented Hufflepuff." Snape told him.
"And you look like an overgrown bat with a tent-wearing complex. Anything else, Snape?" Cole shot back.
"You address me as sir or professor, McLaughlin; I am your teacher." Snape glared at him.
"Does it look like I give a fuck?" Cole shrugged.
Draco gaped at him; not even he, Snape's favourite student, dared to talk back to him like that, and here was Cole McLaughlin, a lowly Muggle-born, telling Snape he looked like an overgrown bat, and to his face!
"Honestly, sir, you could at least warn us before you throw Muggle-born wizards at us; we didn't even have time to clean up." Blaise commented from the doorway of the girls dorms.
"Ms Zabini, I fail to see any need to clean up; the Slytherin Common Room is always clean. Hogwarts do have House Elves."
"Not if Granger gets her way."
"Ah, yes. There's someone you should get to know, McLaughlin; you'd understand each other. Spit and spew." Snape sneered. "Now, Ms Zabini, Mr Malfoy you will treat McLaughlin like any other Slytherin. If I hear you harass him because he is Muggle-born, you'll have to answer to me."
With that, he swept out of the room, leaving the three of them alone. Draco was staring at Cole, looking like someone had dropped the whole world on his head. Blaise chuckled at him, and walked up to slap him over the head.
"This is the real world calling, Mr Draco Malfoy. Anyone home?" She asked, laughing.
"Ye-es, but how? A Mud-, I mean Muggle-born in Slytherin? That doesn't happen!" Draco exclaimed, waving his arms for emphasis.
"Sorry to disrupt your view of the world, Draco, but it seems I'm here to stay." Cole chuckled at his expression.
"Alright then." Draco said, but he still seemed a bit dazed. "I'll show you to the seventh year dorms."
*****'
The rooms were decorated much like the Common Room was, with four-poster beds and green rugs. There were four beds in the room, and two of them were already occupied by what looked like gorillas.
Cole looked at them, puzzled, and he heard Draco snort. He turned his head, and raised an eyebrow.
"Exhibit A is Gregory Goyle, exhibit B is Vincent Crabbe. Or maybe it's the other way around; not even the teachers can tell them apart. I doubt even their mothers can do that." Draco said, smirking.
"Rrrright. Lessons tomorrow?" Cole changed subjects.
"Yeah; Double Potions with the Gryffindors, first thing in the morning. Hope we live through it. Longbottom has a habit of blowing up cauldrons. Wanna bet on how far he makes it this time? I'm betting fifteen minutes." Draco said, grinning now.
"Alright, I'll bet half an hour. Whoever's the closest wins, deal?" Cole said, not having a clue who Longbottom was.
"Deal. Winner gets a Galleon."
"Sure."
All he had to do now was find out what the hell a Galleon was. He undressed and took the bed closest to the door. A few minutes ticked by, and Cole put his head under the pillow, trying to block out the snores of Crabbe and Goyle.
If someone had told him two weeks ago, that he would be lying in a four- poster bed in a magical castle, being a wizard himself, and having been sorted into a House named Slytherin, he would have laughed at them, if he had the energy to. His attempts to get some sleep were interrupted by an exceptionally loud snore from Crabbe or Goyle, he didn't know which one. Sighing to himself, he clutched the pillow tighter around his head, and tired to sleep.
******'