Chapter Three: The Passing of the Torch
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity for Jessie and her family as the race for to secure the post of Minister sprang into high gear which kept her father out of the house even more than usual, and she was also heavily involved in prepared for the new year. Before she knew it, the summer was over and she and her friends would be off to Hogwarts the next morning. Jessie's last day at home was mostly spent with her younger siblings - as Wirky, one of the house-elves had agreed to handle the bulk of her packing - but after dinner, she excused herself from David, Mary, William and the twins, who were in the middle of a particularly vigorous game of Exploding Snap, under the watchful eye of Civis and Hawkin who were playing chess, and headed up to a room on the first floor that only a handful of people - all of them except her adults - were allowed to go into.
She whispered the password, and quietly slipped into her father's private domain. As she expected, he was already there, sitting in his favourite armchair by the fire, he was working on something, but because of the dim light, she couldn't make out what until she got closer. When she did, she frowned slightly, she didn't like her father and godfather's habit of carrying Muggle guns, so the sight of him cleaning one them - especially the short-barrelled 'undercover' revolver he had in his hand now - wasn't something that she liked to see. But nonetheless, she crossed to the study and sat down on the rug in front of him. It took a few seconds for Harry to notice she was there, but when he did he quickly finished his checks, reloaded the gun and then reassembled it. Once it was stored in the locked box he kept it in while at home, he spoke. "Already for tomorrow, Angel?" he asked, using their private nickname for her that only a select few others could get away with using.
"Yes, Daddy," Jessie told him, grinning broadly. "It's going to be fun."
Her father smiled a little sadly. "I'm going to miss you, Jessie."
"I'll be back at Christmas, Daddy," Jessie reminded him. "And I'll write as often as I can."
"Good. If you have any problems don't hesitate to go to Jamie with them, or Neville if she's not around. And don't forget to visit Hagrid sometimes."
"I won't forget, Daddy."
"Now, your mother would kill me if she found out I was giving you these... and I shudder to think what your grandmother or your godmother would do to me, but... they'll be our little secret, eh?"
Jessie nodded, she had a vague suspicion what he was referring to and she wanted them, in fact she'd wanted them ever since she'd first seen them at the age of six. Her father got up and crossed to his desk, picked up a large soft bundle and brought it over to her. Jamie took it, as she suspected the bundle was a familiar looking cloak made of such silky material it almost seemed to flow, and on top of it was an old, tattered piece of parchment. "My father's Invisibility Cloak," he told her, a little unnecessarily. "And his old map."
Jamie grinned and taking out her new wand, tapped the parchment. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
And at once, thin black lines began to spread out like a spider's web from the point that her wand had touched. They joined each other, they criss- crossed, they fanned into every corner of the parchment; then words began to blossom across the top, great, curly green words, that proclaimed:
Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers Are proud to presents THE MARAUDER'S MAP.
"Thank you, Dad," said Jessie quietly, she knew how much both these things meant to her father, and she was touched that he trusted her with them.
"Don't forget what I told you about getting into trouble."
"To try to avoid getting into it, but if I had to get into try not to get caught?"
Her father nodded. "But remember, sometimes we have to admit to a little bit, to prevent something much worse."
Jessie nodded, she knew the stories of her parents' time at Hogwarts as well as anyone and better than most. "I won't forget, Daddy."
"I'm sure you won't."
Father and daughter sat in comfortable silence for a while, but around nine o'clock Jessie's eyes started to droop a little and her father picked her up and cradling her in his arms, he carried her up the stairs and tucked her into her bed. A quick charm extinguished the lights and then he left, shutting the door behind him.
----
Jessie, Hawkin and Max were up early the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, they followed her parents down to the gatehouse, where their belongings had already been deposited by the house-elves. They Flooed to the Leaky Cauldron where they were met by two Ministry drivers and the usual bodyguards from the Executive Protection Service – who were for today dressed in conservative Muggle suits of navy-blue cotton.
Jamie and Max travelled in the first car with her father and Sergeant Riggs, while Hawkin rode in the second car with Officer Long, Jamie's mother and her brother David, who as usual had managed to wrangle his way onto the trip. It didn't take that long to reach King's Cross and when they did the two drivers immediately got trolleys for them, which also speeded things up, so it was only half-past nine when they made it through the barrier. Riggs and Long followed them through the barrier, but stood back at a respectful distance so that the family could say their goodbyes.
"Have a good time. Jessie," Her father told as they broke apart from their farewell hug a few minutes later.
"I will, Daddy," she assured him, and then turned back to the train. Max and Hawkin had already taken care of loading the trunks onto the train, so all Jessie had to deal with was her small school bag and Dìleas, her pet Kneazle. She slung the bag over one shoulder and grasped the handles of her cat's small wicker basket. Hawkin followed behind her, encumbered by his own backpack and a large birdcage containing a kestrel by the name of Sagitta. Max, who had only his backpack, was already onboard and led the way down the narrow corridor. Most of the compartments were still empty, so it didn't take them long to find the one they were looking for – there were only two people in it, Gill Weasley, and their blond cousin Michel, who despite being only twelve years old, was already clearly showing the small drop of Veela blood in his veins.
"So are you going to try out for this team this year?" Jessie asked Michel once they were all sitting comfortably.
"Yeah, I'm tired off people only recognising me as 'the blond Weasley kid', I want to actually do something," he admitted. "I'm going to try out for Chaser. Since they lost Morgan Blount at the end of last year, there should be a space on the team."
"Is Henry going to be trying out too?" Hawkin asked.
"No," Gill replied. "My brother seems to think it would cut too much into his valuable time in the Library."
"His loss," commented Hawkin, to which the others nodded agreement. While some of them weren't as devoted to playing Quidditch as others, all of them recognised that it was a big part of life at Hogwarts especially for their family.
After a couple of games of Exploding Snap, the group split up to do their own thing – Hawkin and Gill started a game Wizard's Chess, while Jessie let her cat out of his travelling case and then took out well worn copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, and began flicking through it, glancing up occasionally to see how her friends' game was going and the two remaining habitants of the carriage got into a conversation about duelling. The peaceful tranquillity of the carriage was interrupted only once, when the snack trolley was wheeled past their compartment. Jessie's bag was closest to hand so she fished out her moneybag and handed Max enough gold and silver for a large order of ice-cold pumpkin juice and assorted snacks.
Eventually the lights of Hogsmeade could be seen out of the window and they quickly changed into their robes and gathered their things, by the time they reached the platform, Jessie could already hear the dulcet tones of the Hogwarts gamekeeper called them together.
"We'll see you at the Feast," she promised Michel, who nodded and headed for the carriages, which although apparently pulled by horse-like creatures called Thestrals, appeared to be propelled by invisible forces to Jessie's eyes.
"Hi Hagrid," said Jessie as she led her friends over to the half-giant.
"Hi Jessie, how are yeh?"
"Fine thanks," Jessie told him. "You?"
"Not too bad, not too bad. How about you, Hawkin? An' Max and Gill o' course?"
"We're fine Hagrid," Max assured him.
"Well, get the boats, I think there's a few left still."
There were a few boats still available, one was rather larger than the others and was clearly intended for the gamekeeper himself, so they left that one alone. In the end, Jessie and Max took one boat, while Hawkin and Gill joined Michael Weatherton in another.
Once all the first years were safely in the boats, Hagrid joined them and led the way across the lake. Once they reached the harbour, Jessie and the other first years got out of the boats and followed Hagrid up the underground passage to the front of the castle where they were met by the diminutive man in brightly coloured robes.
"I'll take it from here, Hagrid."
"O' course, Professor," said Hagrid and continued on towards the Great Hall.
"Hello first years, my name is Professor Flitwick, all of you will have received a letter from me, inviting you all here." This didn't appear to be an actual question, but Jessie found herself nodding anyway, and glancing around she saw she wasn't the only one.
"In a moment, you will be following me into the Great Hall to be Sorted into your House," Flitwick continued. "There are four: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. While you are here, your House will be your family; you will have your classes in your Houses, and much of your free-time many be spent in your House Common Room, although I would advise all of you – especially those of in Ravenclaw – to spend plenty of time in the library too!"
Several people chucked at that, including Jessie.
Flitwick gave them a couple of minutes to get themselves in order, then he escorted them into the Great Hall. As they passed the student tables, Michel gave them an encouraging wave, and when they lined up in front of the Staff table, her Aunt Jamie and Uncle Neville both gave them reassuring smiles.
Jessie nodded back and then turned her attention to the battered wizard's hat on the three-legged stool in front of them. That must be the Sorting Hat, she thought to herself. I wonder where it's going to put me? Gryffindor, hopefully, but I won't mind Hufflepuff. I think Grandma and Grandpa would be upset if it put me in Slytherin and they wouldn't be the only ones...
The crease in the Hat opened up into a wide mouth and it began to sing:
Behold the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts School, On your admission, I do rule, The founders of this fine place, Gave me brains, though not a face, Put me on and you shall see, In which House you're right to be. With the daring Gryffindors, Whose bravery comes at the lion's roar. With Ravenclaw, where your sharp mind, Will mark you as one of their kind. In Hufflepuff, if you be one, You'll find those to get jobs done. Those of Slytherin beware, Honesty is not your fare. If you still would enter in, To these halls and school within. Then put me on, I am not wrong, For I'm the Hogwarts Thinking Cap!
"When I called your name, step forward and place the Hat on your head," Flitwick told them, and produced a long parchment from inside his robes. "Brock, Rose."
A slightly plump girl with black hair strode up to the stool and placed the Hat on her head. "Hufflepuff!"
"Bulstrode, Magdalene."
A large, blocky girl who greatly resembled her slightly infamous aunt, lumbered up to the stool and put the Hat on her head. Again, as with Rose Brock, the Hat came to a decision almost immediately. "Slytherin!"
Seeming rather pleased at the decision, Bulstrode lumbered over to the table on the far right and sat down.
"Davies, Ming."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Dursley, Maxwell."
Max sat down on the stool, which groaned slightly under his weight, and placed the Hat on his head. The Hat took a little longer this time, but eventually declared him a Gryffindor. Smiling happily, Max went to sit over on the far left table.
"Finnigan, Eoin."
"Gryffindor!"
"Flint, Artair."
"Slytherin!"
"Greengrass, Theresa."
"Slytherin!"
"MacMillian, Harry."
"Hufflepuff!"
Another student, Ladon Malfoy, caused rather a stir when he was Sorted into Gryffindor, and by all appearances was rather pleased about it.
Then a minute or two later it was Hawkin's turn. "O'Connor-Potter, Hawkin."
Hawkin walked swiftly up to the stool, and almost before the Hat touched his head it declared: "Gryffindor!"
Jessie would have liked to watch her friend until he sat down, but she had sneaking suspicion her name was next on the list.
"Potter, Jessica."
Jessie took a deep breath and walked up to the stool, then she sat down and pulled on the Hat.
Hmm, difficult... very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting.... But where to put you... Well, you remind a lot of your father, and he did best in... GRYFFINDOR!!!!
The last word was shouted loud enough for the entire hall to hear. Smiling broadly, Jessie stepped off the stool, laid down the Sorting Hat and walked over to join her friends at the Gryffindor table amid claps and cheers.
None of the remaining students caused by fuss. Diarmaid Pucey and Simon Sicarius were made Slytherins, a brother and sister 'Summersby' and 'Summersby' were both sent to Hufflepuff, and Gill was made a Gryffindor as usual (although he confided to Jessie, Max and Hawkin that he had had to convince the Hat not to send him to Ravenclaw). Finally the last student was Sorted, Mike Weatherton ("Gryffindor!") and Flitwick rolled up the parchment and returned the Sorting Hat and its stool to the side of the Hall and took his seat at the staff table.
Professor McGonagall got to her feet. "I have a few announcements to make..." Several loud groans were heard from various parts of the hall. "But they can wait until after dinner. Let the Feast begin!"
With that signal, the five long tables were filled with food and drink, and the students and teachers were able to tuck in to their hearts' content. Out of the corner of her eye, Jessie could see Ladon Malfoy trying to avoid notice at the far end of the table, ignoring all attempts at communication.
After a while, the talk turned to each other's families. Elias Marrow, another first year turned to Hawkin. "How are you related to the Potters? I mean, you don't look like any of them?"
Hawkin paused for a moment, and Jessie put a hand on his arm and squeezed it reassuringly. He sighed, and then turned to the other boy. "Michael and I are both orphans," he admitted. "We bear the Potter name in addition to our own to show that they are legally responsible for us. The circumstances in which I became an orphan are also the reason why I wear these." He indicated the dark Muggle sunglasses that he was still wearing.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Hawkin admitted. "Many people find looking at my eyes disturbing." He reached up and removed the shades. The eyes that were revealed where a little disconcerting to say the least, they lacked pupils, instead they were a solid pale blue rimmed with a little white. After a few seconds, Hawkin slipped the shades back on. "Now you see why."
Marrow didn't say anything for a moment or two, but then he appeared to collect himself and nodded. Then he turned to another of the students and eventually talk returned to its previous level.
Once the meal was finished, the food vanished and Professor McGonagall got to her feet. "I have only a few announcements to make. First years should note that the Forbidden Forest is so named for the obvious reason and that Hogsmeade village is off-limits, all second-years should also bear this in mind. I must remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes. Quidditch tryouts will be held shortly, anyone in second year or above wishing to try out for their House team should see Madam Hooch. I have nothing further. You may go."
There was a general rush towards the exit, Jessie was nearly taken along too but the solid presence of Max at her back kept her out of the tide long enough for them to meet up with the fifth-year prefects; Martina Fry and Byron Davison.
Davison waited till all seven Gryffindor first years had found them, and then spoke. "If you'll follow us, we'll show you to your dormitories."
This didn't sound like a question, so Jessie and the other first years fell in behind him as he left the Great Hall and headed up the main stairs. One or two of the group weren't terribly fit so it took them a while to traverse the distance, but eventually they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
"Aurora Borealis," replied Davison.
"You may enter," The Fat Lady told them and swung to one side to allow them to climb into the Common Room.
"Boys dormitories are first on the right. Girls same on the left," Davison told them. "All your belongings will already have been brought up."
Jessie said good night to her friends and headed up the girls' staircase with the other two new girls. Both of them were rather tired and fell asleep immediately, but as Jessie was generally rather a night owl, it took a couple of hours before she too drifted off.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I was a bit busier over the weekend than I thought I would be so this is a bit late. I hope the increased length makes up for the delay and I'll try and get the next one up a little sooner. In the meantime, please review and if any of you would like to join my mailing list, then sign up here: http:// uk.groups. subscribe/ shamrocks_study
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity for Jessie and her family as the race for to secure the post of Minister sprang into high gear which kept her father out of the house even more than usual, and she was also heavily involved in prepared for the new year. Before she knew it, the summer was over and she and her friends would be off to Hogwarts the next morning. Jessie's last day at home was mostly spent with her younger siblings - as Wirky, one of the house-elves had agreed to handle the bulk of her packing - but after dinner, she excused herself from David, Mary, William and the twins, who were in the middle of a particularly vigorous game of Exploding Snap, under the watchful eye of Civis and Hawkin who were playing chess, and headed up to a room on the first floor that only a handful of people - all of them except her adults - were allowed to go into.
She whispered the password, and quietly slipped into her father's private domain. As she expected, he was already there, sitting in his favourite armchair by the fire, he was working on something, but because of the dim light, she couldn't make out what until she got closer. When she did, she frowned slightly, she didn't like her father and godfather's habit of carrying Muggle guns, so the sight of him cleaning one them - especially the short-barrelled 'undercover' revolver he had in his hand now - wasn't something that she liked to see. But nonetheless, she crossed to the study and sat down on the rug in front of him. It took a few seconds for Harry to notice she was there, but when he did he quickly finished his checks, reloaded the gun and then reassembled it. Once it was stored in the locked box he kept it in while at home, he spoke. "Already for tomorrow, Angel?" he asked, using their private nickname for her that only a select few others could get away with using.
"Yes, Daddy," Jessie told him, grinning broadly. "It's going to be fun."
Her father smiled a little sadly. "I'm going to miss you, Jessie."
"I'll be back at Christmas, Daddy," Jessie reminded him. "And I'll write as often as I can."
"Good. If you have any problems don't hesitate to go to Jamie with them, or Neville if she's not around. And don't forget to visit Hagrid sometimes."
"I won't forget, Daddy."
"Now, your mother would kill me if she found out I was giving you these... and I shudder to think what your grandmother or your godmother would do to me, but... they'll be our little secret, eh?"
Jessie nodded, she had a vague suspicion what he was referring to and she wanted them, in fact she'd wanted them ever since she'd first seen them at the age of six. Her father got up and crossed to his desk, picked up a large soft bundle and brought it over to her. Jamie took it, as she suspected the bundle was a familiar looking cloak made of such silky material it almost seemed to flow, and on top of it was an old, tattered piece of parchment. "My father's Invisibility Cloak," he told her, a little unnecessarily. "And his old map."
Jamie grinned and taking out her new wand, tapped the parchment. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
And at once, thin black lines began to spread out like a spider's web from the point that her wand had touched. They joined each other, they criss- crossed, they fanned into every corner of the parchment; then words began to blossom across the top, great, curly green words, that proclaimed:
Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers Are proud to presents THE MARAUDER'S MAP.
"Thank you, Dad," said Jessie quietly, she knew how much both these things meant to her father, and she was touched that he trusted her with them.
"Don't forget what I told you about getting into trouble."
"To try to avoid getting into it, but if I had to get into try not to get caught?"
Her father nodded. "But remember, sometimes we have to admit to a little bit, to prevent something much worse."
Jessie nodded, she knew the stories of her parents' time at Hogwarts as well as anyone and better than most. "I won't forget, Daddy."
"I'm sure you won't."
Father and daughter sat in comfortable silence for a while, but around nine o'clock Jessie's eyes started to droop a little and her father picked her up and cradling her in his arms, he carried her up the stairs and tucked her into her bed. A quick charm extinguished the lights and then he left, shutting the door behind him.
----
Jessie, Hawkin and Max were up early the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, they followed her parents down to the gatehouse, where their belongings had already been deposited by the house-elves. They Flooed to the Leaky Cauldron where they were met by two Ministry drivers and the usual bodyguards from the Executive Protection Service – who were for today dressed in conservative Muggle suits of navy-blue cotton.
Jamie and Max travelled in the first car with her father and Sergeant Riggs, while Hawkin rode in the second car with Officer Long, Jamie's mother and her brother David, who as usual had managed to wrangle his way onto the trip. It didn't take that long to reach King's Cross and when they did the two drivers immediately got trolleys for them, which also speeded things up, so it was only half-past nine when they made it through the barrier. Riggs and Long followed them through the barrier, but stood back at a respectful distance so that the family could say their goodbyes.
"Have a good time. Jessie," Her father told as they broke apart from their farewell hug a few minutes later.
"I will, Daddy," she assured him, and then turned back to the train. Max and Hawkin had already taken care of loading the trunks onto the train, so all Jessie had to deal with was her small school bag and Dìleas, her pet Kneazle. She slung the bag over one shoulder and grasped the handles of her cat's small wicker basket. Hawkin followed behind her, encumbered by his own backpack and a large birdcage containing a kestrel by the name of Sagitta. Max, who had only his backpack, was already onboard and led the way down the narrow corridor. Most of the compartments were still empty, so it didn't take them long to find the one they were looking for – there were only two people in it, Gill Weasley, and their blond cousin Michel, who despite being only twelve years old, was already clearly showing the small drop of Veela blood in his veins.
"So are you going to try out for this team this year?" Jessie asked Michel once they were all sitting comfortably.
"Yeah, I'm tired off people only recognising me as 'the blond Weasley kid', I want to actually do something," he admitted. "I'm going to try out for Chaser. Since they lost Morgan Blount at the end of last year, there should be a space on the team."
"Is Henry going to be trying out too?" Hawkin asked.
"No," Gill replied. "My brother seems to think it would cut too much into his valuable time in the Library."
"His loss," commented Hawkin, to which the others nodded agreement. While some of them weren't as devoted to playing Quidditch as others, all of them recognised that it was a big part of life at Hogwarts especially for their family.
After a couple of games of Exploding Snap, the group split up to do their own thing – Hawkin and Gill started a game Wizard's Chess, while Jessie let her cat out of his travelling case and then took out well worn copy of Quidditch Through the Ages, and began flicking through it, glancing up occasionally to see how her friends' game was going and the two remaining habitants of the carriage got into a conversation about duelling. The peaceful tranquillity of the carriage was interrupted only once, when the snack trolley was wheeled past their compartment. Jessie's bag was closest to hand so she fished out her moneybag and handed Max enough gold and silver for a large order of ice-cold pumpkin juice and assorted snacks.
Eventually the lights of Hogsmeade could be seen out of the window and they quickly changed into their robes and gathered their things, by the time they reached the platform, Jessie could already hear the dulcet tones of the Hogwarts gamekeeper called them together.
"We'll see you at the Feast," she promised Michel, who nodded and headed for the carriages, which although apparently pulled by horse-like creatures called Thestrals, appeared to be propelled by invisible forces to Jessie's eyes.
"Hi Hagrid," said Jessie as she led her friends over to the half-giant.
"Hi Jessie, how are yeh?"
"Fine thanks," Jessie told him. "You?"
"Not too bad, not too bad. How about you, Hawkin? An' Max and Gill o' course?"
"We're fine Hagrid," Max assured him.
"Well, get the boats, I think there's a few left still."
There were a few boats still available, one was rather larger than the others and was clearly intended for the gamekeeper himself, so they left that one alone. In the end, Jessie and Max took one boat, while Hawkin and Gill joined Michael Weatherton in another.
Once all the first years were safely in the boats, Hagrid joined them and led the way across the lake. Once they reached the harbour, Jessie and the other first years got out of the boats and followed Hagrid up the underground passage to the front of the castle where they were met by the diminutive man in brightly coloured robes.
"I'll take it from here, Hagrid."
"O' course, Professor," said Hagrid and continued on towards the Great Hall.
"Hello first years, my name is Professor Flitwick, all of you will have received a letter from me, inviting you all here." This didn't appear to be an actual question, but Jessie found herself nodding anyway, and glancing around she saw she wasn't the only one.
"In a moment, you will be following me into the Great Hall to be Sorted into your House," Flitwick continued. "There are four: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. While you are here, your House will be your family; you will have your classes in your Houses, and much of your free-time many be spent in your House Common Room, although I would advise all of you – especially those of in Ravenclaw – to spend plenty of time in the library too!"
Several people chucked at that, including Jessie.
Flitwick gave them a couple of minutes to get themselves in order, then he escorted them into the Great Hall. As they passed the student tables, Michel gave them an encouraging wave, and when they lined up in front of the Staff table, her Aunt Jamie and Uncle Neville both gave them reassuring smiles.
Jessie nodded back and then turned her attention to the battered wizard's hat on the three-legged stool in front of them. That must be the Sorting Hat, she thought to herself. I wonder where it's going to put me? Gryffindor, hopefully, but I won't mind Hufflepuff. I think Grandma and Grandpa would be upset if it put me in Slytherin and they wouldn't be the only ones...
The crease in the Hat opened up into a wide mouth and it began to sing:
Behold the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts School, On your admission, I do rule, The founders of this fine place, Gave me brains, though not a face, Put me on and you shall see, In which House you're right to be. With the daring Gryffindors, Whose bravery comes at the lion's roar. With Ravenclaw, where your sharp mind, Will mark you as one of their kind. In Hufflepuff, if you be one, You'll find those to get jobs done. Those of Slytherin beware, Honesty is not your fare. If you still would enter in, To these halls and school within. Then put me on, I am not wrong, For I'm the Hogwarts Thinking Cap!
"When I called your name, step forward and place the Hat on your head," Flitwick told them, and produced a long parchment from inside his robes. "Brock, Rose."
A slightly plump girl with black hair strode up to the stool and placed the Hat on her head. "Hufflepuff!"
"Bulstrode, Magdalene."
A large, blocky girl who greatly resembled her slightly infamous aunt, lumbered up to the stool and put the Hat on her head. Again, as with Rose Brock, the Hat came to a decision almost immediately. "Slytherin!"
Seeming rather pleased at the decision, Bulstrode lumbered over to the table on the far right and sat down.
"Davies, Ming."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Dursley, Maxwell."
Max sat down on the stool, which groaned slightly under his weight, and placed the Hat on his head. The Hat took a little longer this time, but eventually declared him a Gryffindor. Smiling happily, Max went to sit over on the far left table.
"Finnigan, Eoin."
"Gryffindor!"
"Flint, Artair."
"Slytherin!"
"Greengrass, Theresa."
"Slytherin!"
"MacMillian, Harry."
"Hufflepuff!"
Another student, Ladon Malfoy, caused rather a stir when he was Sorted into Gryffindor, and by all appearances was rather pleased about it.
Then a minute or two later it was Hawkin's turn. "O'Connor-Potter, Hawkin."
Hawkin walked swiftly up to the stool, and almost before the Hat touched his head it declared: "Gryffindor!"
Jessie would have liked to watch her friend until he sat down, but she had sneaking suspicion her name was next on the list.
"Potter, Jessica."
Jessie took a deep breath and walked up to the stool, then she sat down and pulled on the Hat.
Hmm, difficult... very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There's talent, oh my goodness, yes - and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that's interesting.... But where to put you... Well, you remind a lot of your father, and he did best in... GRYFFINDOR!!!!
The last word was shouted loud enough for the entire hall to hear. Smiling broadly, Jessie stepped off the stool, laid down the Sorting Hat and walked over to join her friends at the Gryffindor table amid claps and cheers.
None of the remaining students caused by fuss. Diarmaid Pucey and Simon Sicarius were made Slytherins, a brother and sister 'Summersby' and 'Summersby' were both sent to Hufflepuff, and Gill was made a Gryffindor as usual (although he confided to Jessie, Max and Hawkin that he had had to convince the Hat not to send him to Ravenclaw). Finally the last student was Sorted, Mike Weatherton ("Gryffindor!") and Flitwick rolled up the parchment and returned the Sorting Hat and its stool to the side of the Hall and took his seat at the staff table.
Professor McGonagall got to her feet. "I have a few announcements to make..." Several loud groans were heard from various parts of the hall. "But they can wait until after dinner. Let the Feast begin!"
With that signal, the five long tables were filled with food and drink, and the students and teachers were able to tuck in to their hearts' content. Out of the corner of her eye, Jessie could see Ladon Malfoy trying to avoid notice at the far end of the table, ignoring all attempts at communication.
After a while, the talk turned to each other's families. Elias Marrow, another first year turned to Hawkin. "How are you related to the Potters? I mean, you don't look like any of them?"
Hawkin paused for a moment, and Jessie put a hand on his arm and squeezed it reassuringly. He sighed, and then turned to the other boy. "Michael and I are both orphans," he admitted. "We bear the Potter name in addition to our own to show that they are legally responsible for us. The circumstances in which I became an orphan are also the reason why I wear these." He indicated the dark Muggle sunglasses that he was still wearing.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Hawkin admitted. "Many people find looking at my eyes disturbing." He reached up and removed the shades. The eyes that were revealed where a little disconcerting to say the least, they lacked pupils, instead they were a solid pale blue rimmed with a little white. After a few seconds, Hawkin slipped the shades back on. "Now you see why."
Marrow didn't say anything for a moment or two, but then he appeared to collect himself and nodded. Then he turned to another of the students and eventually talk returned to its previous level.
Once the meal was finished, the food vanished and Professor McGonagall got to her feet. "I have only a few announcements to make. First years should note that the Forbidden Forest is so named for the obvious reason and that Hogsmeade village is off-limits, all second-years should also bear this in mind. I must remind you that no magic is to be used in the corridors between classes. Quidditch tryouts will be held shortly, anyone in second year or above wishing to try out for their House team should see Madam Hooch. I have nothing further. You may go."
There was a general rush towards the exit, Jessie was nearly taken along too but the solid presence of Max at her back kept her out of the tide long enough for them to meet up with the fifth-year prefects; Martina Fry and Byron Davison.
Davison waited till all seven Gryffindor first years had found them, and then spoke. "If you'll follow us, we'll show you to your dormitories."
This didn't sound like a question, so Jessie and the other first years fell in behind him as he left the Great Hall and headed up the main stairs. One or two of the group weren't terribly fit so it took them a while to traverse the distance, but eventually they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Password?"
"Aurora Borealis," replied Davison.
"You may enter," The Fat Lady told them and swung to one side to allow them to climb into the Common Room.
"Boys dormitories are first on the right. Girls same on the left," Davison told them. "All your belongings will already have been brought up."
Jessie said good night to her friends and headed up the girls' staircase with the other two new girls. Both of them were rather tired and fell asleep immediately, but as Jessie was generally rather a night owl, it took a couple of hours before she too drifted off.
A/N: Sorry for the delay, but I was a bit busier over the weekend than I thought I would be so this is a bit late. I hope the increased length makes up for the delay and I'll try and get the next one up a little sooner. In the meantime, please review and if any of you would like to join my mailing list, then sign up here: http:// uk.groups. subscribe/ shamrocks_study