Chapter 2 – A House of Magic
"This place is really nice!" Thomas commented as he plopped down into a huge easy-chair.
"I'm glad you think so," Hermione replied as she made Ron put another log into the fireplace as the temperature was getting quite colder and they could feel a slight chill through their cloaks.
Thomas looked around and scanned the whole room even as Harry, Hermione and Ron pulled up their own chairs and gathered round the fire.
"So Thomas, what was your school in America like?" asked Ron who was keen on finding out everything he could about the muggle-world. Among the three, only Ron Weasley was left out of the loop when it came to anything and everything "muggle" as Harry and Hermione had homes outside this pocket- realm of magic.
"Well, it was a private-school that was connected to one of the foremost universities in America. Had I graduated normally, I would've had the privilege of studying in that university automatically," Thomas began.
"Automatically? Oh, you mean you would've been given priority then. I see," Ron replied.
Thomas nodded in assent and continued his story.
"So you never knew that what was happening around you was due to your magical heritage?" Hermione asked.
"No. I had absolutely no idea whatsoever that these hijinks and various mishaps were either directly or indirectly caused by me. It was only after that fateful day when I caused an explosion in my laboratory class that I got to find out the truth," Thomas replied.
Thomas continued, relating how he found out that his "hated" Professor Stanton was actually a wizard and that he had no idea at first that Thomas had magic.
"I recall seeing him quite angry at first after the explosion but it was all just a feint as he suddenly smiled after my lab-professor and classmates went out of the room," Thomas added.
He continued with his tale and ended it at the point where Professor Snape appeared from a portal and helped them defeat the ogre.
"Amazing!" Ron commented as Thomas ended his tale.
"Indeed. Even more so when you stop to consider that he did those things WITHOUT a wand," Hermione added. Harry, who had been listening intently as Thomas related his tale, chose this moment to speak up.
"How DO you do that, by the way?" Harry asked.
"Do what?" Thomas replied.
"Magic without a wand; so far, the only people I've seen do something like that is Headmaster Dumbledore," Harry replied.
"Oh yeah, I remember that too," Ron added.
Thomas inquired as to how this was so to which both Harry and Ron related how Professor Dumbledore changed the banners inside the main banquet hall from Slytherin's colors into that of Giffyndor's during Harry's first year at Hogwarts.
"I have no idea as to how I'm able to do that, actually. I mean, I just feel like doing it and it comes out like it does," Thomas replied.
"You mean all you have to do is envision what you want to happen and that's it?!!" Ron asked.
Thomas nodded. He went on to tell how he discovered his own magic-abilities before he turned eleven. He discounted the earlier ones as mere coincidences but as they occurred more and more, Thomas could no longer doubt that something else was happening. The final proof came when he was going home to the dormitory after Headmaster Stanton had sent him on a few errands into the city. His attention was caught by a certain display from an electronics store. It was the latest console-gaming platform that almost all his classmates already had and he was dying to have one. Like any ordinary boy, his face was soon plastered against the glass as he recalled the various games Fredrick allowed him to play in his machine. As his imagination ran wild, his desire to have one grew as well.
*flashback
"This is so cool! I just wish I could afford one. That RPG Fredrick had was really intense," Thomas thought to himself.
But he sighed in resignation as he knew that such a costly toy was well beyond his financial means. After a few more minutes of staring at the demo- game being displayed, he stood up and gathered his packages. Taking one last look, he reached out and placed his hand on the glass longingly...then suddenly found he had passed through it. His hand had inadvertently pressed the reset switch of the machine. The storeowner heard the change in the game's soundtrack and turned his attention to the display.
He saw a startled boy looking at the gaming-console. Thomas had taken a step backwards and thus the storeowner didn't see him pass through the glass.
"What happened here...Oh, I see. The game must've reset itself," he said to himself as he turned towards Thomas.
"Cool game, huh kid? Bet you'd like one of these for Christmas," he asked.
"Yeah.....Well, I have to get going, Mister," Thomas replied as he rushed off towards his dormitory leaving a surprised storeowner staring after him.
As he ran, Thomas felt something in his hand. He opened it and found himself looking at a small action-figure from the game that was on demo. It had been standing right beside the machine before his hand went through. Thomas realized that he must've accidentally grabbed it when he tried to prevent himself from toppling headlong into the display.
*end flashback
"I still have the action-figure with me. Right then, I realized that I wasn't an ordinary kid anymore,' Thomas stated as he reached into his pocket and brought out the action-figure.
"Wow! That's neat! May I have a look at it?" Ron asked so Thomas handed the figure over to him.
Harry was looking at it as well while digesting the information Thomas had told them. A sudden realization dawned on him as he finally hit upon a small but significant aspect of Thomas story.
"Thomas, did you say this happened just a few scant months before your eleventh birthday?" Harry asked.
"Yes it did. Why?" Thomas asked in return.
Harry chuckled a bit then proceeded to tell him about his own major instance of magic which involved similar circumstances, his cousin, Dudley Dursley and a huge boa constrictor.
"You mean to say that while I was passing through a glass display, you made your cousin pass through one at the same time?" Thomas asked, amazement in his voice highly apparent. Harry nodded in assent.
"Well it should be pretty obvious why that is so, don't you agree, Ron?" Hermione declared.
"Indeed. Concurrent spells usually occur among wizards who are kin. I guess in your case, even more so," Ron replied.
Thomas was still in awe over the fact that he had a brother. And not just any brother, but a twin nonetheless. The discussion would've gone on were it not for someone entering Griffyndor Common. It was Professors Snape and Stanton who had just returned from Headmaster Dumbledore's office. "Ah, there you are, Thomas. We were looking for you but I remembered you went with your brother," Professor Stanton greeted.
"Indeed. Well, let's get to the business at hand. Thomas, you will stay here at Grrifyndor Common tonight. Tomorrow, you shall join us in the sorting hall so that you can belong to any of the four houses of magic," Professor Snape declared while eying Thomas and Harry.
"We'll see you all in the morning then," said Professor Stanton as he and Snape left the room.
"That was Professsor Stanton with Professor Snape wasn't he, Thomas? We saw him with you as you emerged from the portal," Hermione asked.
"Yes. I never expected him to be the kind who would be a wizard. I mean, up until then, he was always giving me a hard time back in school," Thomas stated.
"Really? He gave you a hard time? That doesn't make him any different from Snape then," Ron remarked jokingly.
"I guess it's because he wasn't aware of your magic at first," Hermione declared.
"That would explain it. By the way, what's a 'sorting hall' ?" Thomas asked.
Hermione replied by explaining about there being four houses of magic and how new students at Hogwarts were to be distributed among them.
"A magical sorting hat will be worn by the student and this hat will ascertain as to which house the student belongs," Hermione elaborated.
"Oh, I see. I guess it will be my turn tomorrow," Thomas replied.
The four forgot about the time and when Thomas had finished his tale, most of the classes were over.
"Oh no! We forgot to go back to class!" Ron wailed.
"You're right! That only means one thing: more points will be deducted from us and Griffyndor," Hermione added.
'Well, we can't do anything about it now. We can just try our best to make for it," Harry stated.
"I'm sorry I took up most of your time, guys," Thomas apologized.
"Oh, no need to fuss about it. It's not everyday that one gets reunited with family, you know. Harry's right. We'll just have to work harder," Hermione assured.
The moment took a slightly comic turn when Thomas heard his stomach rumble. This made Hermione and Ron laugh and even Harry joined in.
"Oh yeah. I remember now; I totally forgot to have lunch today," Thomas sheepishly declared.
"Well we can fix that. Let's all go to the dining hall. I'm sure there's still food left," Hermione suggested.
"Here's a chocolate-frog to tide you through," Ron chimed in as he handed Thomas a small box containing the said confectionery.
'Chocolate-frog?!!!" Thomas asked.
"Try it. I'll you'll love them," Ron replied.
Harry watched as Thomas took a wriggling, brown, amphibian-shaped treat from the box. Thomas stared at the chocolate-frog for a few minutes then popped it into his mouth, grimacing as he expected a weird taste to overwhelm him. He was pleasantly surprised when none came and that it actually tasted good.
"Well?" Ron asked as they walked.
"That wasn't bad at all. I think I'll have one more," Thomas replied as Hermione shirked a bit.
"Come now Hermione, you've tried it already," Harry joked.
"Yes but I prefer my sweets in more palatable forms," Hermione replied with a bit of disgust as she saw Thomas bite into another one with delight.
After the meal, the four were returning to Grrifyndor Common. On the way back, they passed through the flights of ever-shifting stairs.
"Eh? This is like an obstacle course. Are you sure this is the right way?" Thomas asked as he noted the random shifting of the various flights of stairs.
"No need to worry. Just keep your attention fixed on that painting. That's the other door into Griffyndor Common," Hermione assured him.
"Easy for you to say; I feel like I might lose my footing and fall," Thomas replied.
Thomas decided that the best way was to follow the three. All was going well when the last flight of stairs shifted a tad too early, immediately after Harry and the others alighted from it. Thomas panicked a bit as he tried to regain his balance. He was getting slightly annoyed as he had no idea how to get to where Harry and the others were if he had to use the other hallways. He was still in the middle of his thoughts when he decided to use his magic, albeit in a very unorthodox way.
"Aw, the heck with it! Get back to that area!" Thomas irritatingly declared as he directed his palm to the stairs.
Harry and the others were surprised when they saw how Thomas was forcing the flight of stairs to return to where they were standing. A slight tremor could be felt as Thomas' magic struggled against the magical-force that normally governed the stairs movement. They stood staring as the stairs finally locked back into place and Thomas joined them.
"That was amazing! You actually forced it to return to this ledge!" Ron declared even as some students were still standing in amazement at what they had just seen.
"Well I didn't want to get lost so I just did what I thought best," Thomas replied.
"I think we'd best discuss this INSIDE. The other students might choose to question us," Hermione suggested. She was quite sure that a few members of Slytherin were right across where they were standing.
Harry gave the password to the painting and soon the four of them were back inside Griffyndor Common. They were just about to relax and settle in when they heard Mrs. McGonaggle's voice.
"That was a most unusual yet creative manner of using magic dear boy though in the future, you would do well not to tamper with magical-energies like you just did," she stated as she transformed back into human-form.
"Professor! I'm sure he didn't mean to! I mean......" Ron, Hermione and Harry chimed in all at once.
"Now, now children; no need to be alarmed for I am not upset. I admit that those stairs do get bothersome every so often. But tampering with eldritch magic like that can prove very risky for young wizards like yourselves. I do believe we haven't been introduced yet," Mrs. McGonaggle declared as she turned to Thomas.
"Thomas. Thomas Potterson, ma'am," Thomas uttered with a hint of nervousness.
"Ah, yes. The one Headmaster Dumbledore told me about. You are Harry's brother, are you not?" she asked. Thomas nodded in assent.
"The resemblance IS rather startling but then again that's to be expected of twins. Come now, no need to be afraid. I am Professor McGonaggle and I am the head of Griffyndor. Professor Snape has informed me that you would be staying here for the night until you get sorted tomorrow. Very well, I suggest you all turn in early. I hope you'll like it here. Mr. Potterson," Mrs. McGonaggle declared.
Soon, the three teens had changed into their sleeping attire. Thomas however, did not. Ron noticed this and asked him about it.
"Got no sleepwear of your own, Tom?"
"I do but in all that confusion, I guess my luggage is still back in America," Thomas replied sheepishly.
Harry however was quick to rectify the situation. He went and retrieved an extra set of clothes and handed them to Thomas.
"Here, you can use some of mine. Sleeping in your school-clothes is very uncomfortable. I bet they'll fit nicely anyway," said Harry.
And fit well they did, save for the fact that Thomas filled the clothes out a bit more as he had been more active in other physical activities than Harry. Soon, all four were ready to go to sleep.
Morning came and Griffyndor Common was soon bustling with activity as the numerous students went about preparing for class. Thomas went to get dressed when he found that his clothes were nowhere to be found and instead, there was a set of clothes identical to what everyone else was wearing save for the absence of a badge.
"I took the liberty of having your clothes laundered as they were quite soiled. Anyway these are what you will be wearing as a student here in Hogwarts," Professor McGonaggle explained.
"Thank you very much, ma'am," said Thomas as he got he clothes and went to the changing room.
He was soon joined by Harry, Ron and Hermione in the hallway.
"Good morning, Tom! Had a good night's sleep?" Hermione asked to which Thomas nodded in assent.
"That's good to know. Oh by the way, we all have to proceed to the sorting room first," Harry stated.
They arrived at the sorting room and found that most of the students were already there including the teachers and Headmaster Dumbledore. Thomas was looking around when his eyes met Draco Malfoy's and immediately, he felt a strong emotion of animosity.
"Who's that guy and why is he giving me the evil-eye?" Thomas asked Hermione who was nearest him.
"That's Draco Malfoy, a student from the house of Slytherin. He hates Harry and 'mud-blood' wizards," she replied.
"Mud-blood? What is that supposed to mean?" Thomas asked.
Hermione went on to explain to him about wizarding-families and their lineage even as Dumbledore made an announcement. Draco glared at him and Thomas glared back in return.
"Everyone pay attention! You may all be wondering why I called you here today. Let me just clarify that you are not here to be re-sorted as some rumours imply. The real reason is that we have a late admission into Hogwarts and it is he who will be sorted today," Dumbledore declared.
Hushed discussions soon filled the room as everyone talked amongst themselves.
"May I present, Thomas Potterson!" Dumbledore declared as Professor McGonaggle bade Thomas to go forward.
A deafening silence filled the room as everyone beheld Thomas for the first time. Their gazes went back and forth from Thomas to Harry. "Now before anyone starts their own discussion again, I would like to clarify things. Yes, this is Thomas Potterson, Harry Potter's twin. He has come to Hogwarts all the way from America," Dumbledore declared.
He signaled for Thomas to sit on the stool in the middle and then Professor Stanton set the sorting hat upon Thomas' head.
"Now what do we have here....? Oh my, another one? Most incredible! Ha-ha-ha- ha! And with as much potential as the first. Hmmm......you would do well in that house....." the hat began.
"No! Please don't put me in there! Anywhere but there!" Thomas pleaded.
"Eh?!!! You too? That's what he said that time also. But your talent and potential are even more appropriate for that house! You could become one if not, THE greatest wizard of your time if you went there'" the hat advised.
"I don't care! I'll prefer any other house, just don't put me in there!" Thomas added.
"I see. Very well, where to put you...where to put you..." the hat murmured to itself at it began to think of the best house of magic for Thomas. A few silent minutes went by before the hat came to a decision.
"Very well, this one is for.........RAVENCLAW!" the hat announced.
A cheer went through the ranks of Ravenclaw as soon as they heard the hat's declaration. Harry and Ron sighed in slight chagrin and relief.
"At least he won't be in Slytherin," Hermione stated.
"Yup. He is your brother all right, Harry," Ron noted.
"Indeed. He already hates Malfoy," Harry declared even as they congratulated Thomas when he went to them.
Headmaster Dumbledore approached them and personally handed over a badge to Thomas. Beside him was a proud Professor Stanton who had taken over leadership of Ravenclaw as he was more senior than the current head.
"Congratulations, my boy. I've no doubt that you will do Ravenclaw proud even as your brother has done for Griffyndor," stated Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, I've a favor to ask," Professor Stanton chimed in.
"Yes?"
"I'd like to bring Thomas to Diagon Alley immediately so we can get him his own equipment so may he be excused from classes today?"
"Why of course, Professor. Go ahead. I suggest you bring some company with you," Dumbledore suggested even as he walked off.
Professor Stanton then turned to the four teens.
"Well, what are you all waiting for? Come! We're off to Diagon Alley,"
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Thomas looked at one another then cheered.
"This place is really nice!" Thomas commented as he plopped down into a huge easy-chair.
"I'm glad you think so," Hermione replied as she made Ron put another log into the fireplace as the temperature was getting quite colder and they could feel a slight chill through their cloaks.
Thomas looked around and scanned the whole room even as Harry, Hermione and Ron pulled up their own chairs and gathered round the fire.
"So Thomas, what was your school in America like?" asked Ron who was keen on finding out everything he could about the muggle-world. Among the three, only Ron Weasley was left out of the loop when it came to anything and everything "muggle" as Harry and Hermione had homes outside this pocket- realm of magic.
"Well, it was a private-school that was connected to one of the foremost universities in America. Had I graduated normally, I would've had the privilege of studying in that university automatically," Thomas began.
"Automatically? Oh, you mean you would've been given priority then. I see," Ron replied.
Thomas nodded in assent and continued his story.
"So you never knew that what was happening around you was due to your magical heritage?" Hermione asked.
"No. I had absolutely no idea whatsoever that these hijinks and various mishaps were either directly or indirectly caused by me. It was only after that fateful day when I caused an explosion in my laboratory class that I got to find out the truth," Thomas replied.
Thomas continued, relating how he found out that his "hated" Professor Stanton was actually a wizard and that he had no idea at first that Thomas had magic.
"I recall seeing him quite angry at first after the explosion but it was all just a feint as he suddenly smiled after my lab-professor and classmates went out of the room," Thomas added.
He continued with his tale and ended it at the point where Professor Snape appeared from a portal and helped them defeat the ogre.
"Amazing!" Ron commented as Thomas ended his tale.
"Indeed. Even more so when you stop to consider that he did those things WITHOUT a wand," Hermione added. Harry, who had been listening intently as Thomas related his tale, chose this moment to speak up.
"How DO you do that, by the way?" Harry asked.
"Do what?" Thomas replied.
"Magic without a wand; so far, the only people I've seen do something like that is Headmaster Dumbledore," Harry replied.
"Oh yeah, I remember that too," Ron added.
Thomas inquired as to how this was so to which both Harry and Ron related how Professor Dumbledore changed the banners inside the main banquet hall from Slytherin's colors into that of Giffyndor's during Harry's first year at Hogwarts.
"I have no idea as to how I'm able to do that, actually. I mean, I just feel like doing it and it comes out like it does," Thomas replied.
"You mean all you have to do is envision what you want to happen and that's it?!!" Ron asked.
Thomas nodded. He went on to tell how he discovered his own magic-abilities before he turned eleven. He discounted the earlier ones as mere coincidences but as they occurred more and more, Thomas could no longer doubt that something else was happening. The final proof came when he was going home to the dormitory after Headmaster Stanton had sent him on a few errands into the city. His attention was caught by a certain display from an electronics store. It was the latest console-gaming platform that almost all his classmates already had and he was dying to have one. Like any ordinary boy, his face was soon plastered against the glass as he recalled the various games Fredrick allowed him to play in his machine. As his imagination ran wild, his desire to have one grew as well.
*flashback
"This is so cool! I just wish I could afford one. That RPG Fredrick had was really intense," Thomas thought to himself.
But he sighed in resignation as he knew that such a costly toy was well beyond his financial means. After a few more minutes of staring at the demo- game being displayed, he stood up and gathered his packages. Taking one last look, he reached out and placed his hand on the glass longingly...then suddenly found he had passed through it. His hand had inadvertently pressed the reset switch of the machine. The storeowner heard the change in the game's soundtrack and turned his attention to the display.
He saw a startled boy looking at the gaming-console. Thomas had taken a step backwards and thus the storeowner didn't see him pass through the glass.
"What happened here...Oh, I see. The game must've reset itself," he said to himself as he turned towards Thomas.
"Cool game, huh kid? Bet you'd like one of these for Christmas," he asked.
"Yeah.....Well, I have to get going, Mister," Thomas replied as he rushed off towards his dormitory leaving a surprised storeowner staring after him.
As he ran, Thomas felt something in his hand. He opened it and found himself looking at a small action-figure from the game that was on demo. It had been standing right beside the machine before his hand went through. Thomas realized that he must've accidentally grabbed it when he tried to prevent himself from toppling headlong into the display.
*end flashback
"I still have the action-figure with me. Right then, I realized that I wasn't an ordinary kid anymore,' Thomas stated as he reached into his pocket and brought out the action-figure.
"Wow! That's neat! May I have a look at it?" Ron asked so Thomas handed the figure over to him.
Harry was looking at it as well while digesting the information Thomas had told them. A sudden realization dawned on him as he finally hit upon a small but significant aspect of Thomas story.
"Thomas, did you say this happened just a few scant months before your eleventh birthday?" Harry asked.
"Yes it did. Why?" Thomas asked in return.
Harry chuckled a bit then proceeded to tell him about his own major instance of magic which involved similar circumstances, his cousin, Dudley Dursley and a huge boa constrictor.
"You mean to say that while I was passing through a glass display, you made your cousin pass through one at the same time?" Thomas asked, amazement in his voice highly apparent. Harry nodded in assent.
"Well it should be pretty obvious why that is so, don't you agree, Ron?" Hermione declared.
"Indeed. Concurrent spells usually occur among wizards who are kin. I guess in your case, even more so," Ron replied.
Thomas was still in awe over the fact that he had a brother. And not just any brother, but a twin nonetheless. The discussion would've gone on were it not for someone entering Griffyndor Common. It was Professors Snape and Stanton who had just returned from Headmaster Dumbledore's office. "Ah, there you are, Thomas. We were looking for you but I remembered you went with your brother," Professor Stanton greeted.
"Indeed. Well, let's get to the business at hand. Thomas, you will stay here at Grrifyndor Common tonight. Tomorrow, you shall join us in the sorting hall so that you can belong to any of the four houses of magic," Professor Snape declared while eying Thomas and Harry.
"We'll see you all in the morning then," said Professor Stanton as he and Snape left the room.
"That was Professsor Stanton with Professor Snape wasn't he, Thomas? We saw him with you as you emerged from the portal," Hermione asked.
"Yes. I never expected him to be the kind who would be a wizard. I mean, up until then, he was always giving me a hard time back in school," Thomas stated.
"Really? He gave you a hard time? That doesn't make him any different from Snape then," Ron remarked jokingly.
"I guess it's because he wasn't aware of your magic at first," Hermione declared.
"That would explain it. By the way, what's a 'sorting hall' ?" Thomas asked.
Hermione replied by explaining about there being four houses of magic and how new students at Hogwarts were to be distributed among them.
"A magical sorting hat will be worn by the student and this hat will ascertain as to which house the student belongs," Hermione elaborated.
"Oh, I see. I guess it will be my turn tomorrow," Thomas replied.
The four forgot about the time and when Thomas had finished his tale, most of the classes were over.
"Oh no! We forgot to go back to class!" Ron wailed.
"You're right! That only means one thing: more points will be deducted from us and Griffyndor," Hermione added.
'Well, we can't do anything about it now. We can just try our best to make for it," Harry stated.
"I'm sorry I took up most of your time, guys," Thomas apologized.
"Oh, no need to fuss about it. It's not everyday that one gets reunited with family, you know. Harry's right. We'll just have to work harder," Hermione assured.
The moment took a slightly comic turn when Thomas heard his stomach rumble. This made Hermione and Ron laugh and even Harry joined in.
"Oh yeah. I remember now; I totally forgot to have lunch today," Thomas sheepishly declared.
"Well we can fix that. Let's all go to the dining hall. I'm sure there's still food left," Hermione suggested.
"Here's a chocolate-frog to tide you through," Ron chimed in as he handed Thomas a small box containing the said confectionery.
'Chocolate-frog?!!!" Thomas asked.
"Try it. I'll you'll love them," Ron replied.
Harry watched as Thomas took a wriggling, brown, amphibian-shaped treat from the box. Thomas stared at the chocolate-frog for a few minutes then popped it into his mouth, grimacing as he expected a weird taste to overwhelm him. He was pleasantly surprised when none came and that it actually tasted good.
"Well?" Ron asked as they walked.
"That wasn't bad at all. I think I'll have one more," Thomas replied as Hermione shirked a bit.
"Come now Hermione, you've tried it already," Harry joked.
"Yes but I prefer my sweets in more palatable forms," Hermione replied with a bit of disgust as she saw Thomas bite into another one with delight.
After the meal, the four were returning to Grrifyndor Common. On the way back, they passed through the flights of ever-shifting stairs.
"Eh? This is like an obstacle course. Are you sure this is the right way?" Thomas asked as he noted the random shifting of the various flights of stairs.
"No need to worry. Just keep your attention fixed on that painting. That's the other door into Griffyndor Common," Hermione assured him.
"Easy for you to say; I feel like I might lose my footing and fall," Thomas replied.
Thomas decided that the best way was to follow the three. All was going well when the last flight of stairs shifted a tad too early, immediately after Harry and the others alighted from it. Thomas panicked a bit as he tried to regain his balance. He was getting slightly annoyed as he had no idea how to get to where Harry and the others were if he had to use the other hallways. He was still in the middle of his thoughts when he decided to use his magic, albeit in a very unorthodox way.
"Aw, the heck with it! Get back to that area!" Thomas irritatingly declared as he directed his palm to the stairs.
Harry and the others were surprised when they saw how Thomas was forcing the flight of stairs to return to where they were standing. A slight tremor could be felt as Thomas' magic struggled against the magical-force that normally governed the stairs movement. They stood staring as the stairs finally locked back into place and Thomas joined them.
"That was amazing! You actually forced it to return to this ledge!" Ron declared even as some students were still standing in amazement at what they had just seen.
"Well I didn't want to get lost so I just did what I thought best," Thomas replied.
"I think we'd best discuss this INSIDE. The other students might choose to question us," Hermione suggested. She was quite sure that a few members of Slytherin were right across where they were standing.
Harry gave the password to the painting and soon the four of them were back inside Griffyndor Common. They were just about to relax and settle in when they heard Mrs. McGonaggle's voice.
"That was a most unusual yet creative manner of using magic dear boy though in the future, you would do well not to tamper with magical-energies like you just did," she stated as she transformed back into human-form.
"Professor! I'm sure he didn't mean to! I mean......" Ron, Hermione and Harry chimed in all at once.
"Now, now children; no need to be alarmed for I am not upset. I admit that those stairs do get bothersome every so often. But tampering with eldritch magic like that can prove very risky for young wizards like yourselves. I do believe we haven't been introduced yet," Mrs. McGonaggle declared as she turned to Thomas.
"Thomas. Thomas Potterson, ma'am," Thomas uttered with a hint of nervousness.
"Ah, yes. The one Headmaster Dumbledore told me about. You are Harry's brother, are you not?" she asked. Thomas nodded in assent.
"The resemblance IS rather startling but then again that's to be expected of twins. Come now, no need to be afraid. I am Professor McGonaggle and I am the head of Griffyndor. Professor Snape has informed me that you would be staying here for the night until you get sorted tomorrow. Very well, I suggest you all turn in early. I hope you'll like it here. Mr. Potterson," Mrs. McGonaggle declared.
Soon, the three teens had changed into their sleeping attire. Thomas however, did not. Ron noticed this and asked him about it.
"Got no sleepwear of your own, Tom?"
"I do but in all that confusion, I guess my luggage is still back in America," Thomas replied sheepishly.
Harry however was quick to rectify the situation. He went and retrieved an extra set of clothes and handed them to Thomas.
"Here, you can use some of mine. Sleeping in your school-clothes is very uncomfortable. I bet they'll fit nicely anyway," said Harry.
And fit well they did, save for the fact that Thomas filled the clothes out a bit more as he had been more active in other physical activities than Harry. Soon, all four were ready to go to sleep.
Morning came and Griffyndor Common was soon bustling with activity as the numerous students went about preparing for class. Thomas went to get dressed when he found that his clothes were nowhere to be found and instead, there was a set of clothes identical to what everyone else was wearing save for the absence of a badge.
"I took the liberty of having your clothes laundered as they were quite soiled. Anyway these are what you will be wearing as a student here in Hogwarts," Professor McGonaggle explained.
"Thank you very much, ma'am," said Thomas as he got he clothes and went to the changing room.
He was soon joined by Harry, Ron and Hermione in the hallway.
"Good morning, Tom! Had a good night's sleep?" Hermione asked to which Thomas nodded in assent.
"That's good to know. Oh by the way, we all have to proceed to the sorting room first," Harry stated.
They arrived at the sorting room and found that most of the students were already there including the teachers and Headmaster Dumbledore. Thomas was looking around when his eyes met Draco Malfoy's and immediately, he felt a strong emotion of animosity.
"Who's that guy and why is he giving me the evil-eye?" Thomas asked Hermione who was nearest him.
"That's Draco Malfoy, a student from the house of Slytherin. He hates Harry and 'mud-blood' wizards," she replied.
"Mud-blood? What is that supposed to mean?" Thomas asked.
Hermione went on to explain to him about wizarding-families and their lineage even as Dumbledore made an announcement. Draco glared at him and Thomas glared back in return.
"Everyone pay attention! You may all be wondering why I called you here today. Let me just clarify that you are not here to be re-sorted as some rumours imply. The real reason is that we have a late admission into Hogwarts and it is he who will be sorted today," Dumbledore declared.
Hushed discussions soon filled the room as everyone talked amongst themselves.
"May I present, Thomas Potterson!" Dumbledore declared as Professor McGonaggle bade Thomas to go forward.
A deafening silence filled the room as everyone beheld Thomas for the first time. Their gazes went back and forth from Thomas to Harry. "Now before anyone starts their own discussion again, I would like to clarify things. Yes, this is Thomas Potterson, Harry Potter's twin. He has come to Hogwarts all the way from America," Dumbledore declared.
He signaled for Thomas to sit on the stool in the middle and then Professor Stanton set the sorting hat upon Thomas' head.
"Now what do we have here....? Oh my, another one? Most incredible! Ha-ha-ha- ha! And with as much potential as the first. Hmmm......you would do well in that house....." the hat began.
"No! Please don't put me in there! Anywhere but there!" Thomas pleaded.
"Eh?!!! You too? That's what he said that time also. But your talent and potential are even more appropriate for that house! You could become one if not, THE greatest wizard of your time if you went there'" the hat advised.
"I don't care! I'll prefer any other house, just don't put me in there!" Thomas added.
"I see. Very well, where to put you...where to put you..." the hat murmured to itself at it began to think of the best house of magic for Thomas. A few silent minutes went by before the hat came to a decision.
"Very well, this one is for.........RAVENCLAW!" the hat announced.
A cheer went through the ranks of Ravenclaw as soon as they heard the hat's declaration. Harry and Ron sighed in slight chagrin and relief.
"At least he won't be in Slytherin," Hermione stated.
"Yup. He is your brother all right, Harry," Ron noted.
"Indeed. He already hates Malfoy," Harry declared even as they congratulated Thomas when he went to them.
Headmaster Dumbledore approached them and personally handed over a badge to Thomas. Beside him was a proud Professor Stanton who had taken over leadership of Ravenclaw as he was more senior than the current head.
"Congratulations, my boy. I've no doubt that you will do Ravenclaw proud even as your brother has done for Griffyndor," stated Dumbledore.
"Headmaster, I've a favor to ask," Professor Stanton chimed in.
"Yes?"
"I'd like to bring Thomas to Diagon Alley immediately so we can get him his own equipment so may he be excused from classes today?"
"Why of course, Professor. Go ahead. I suggest you bring some company with you," Dumbledore suggested even as he walked off.
Professor Stanton then turned to the four teens.
"Well, what are you all waiting for? Come! We're off to Diagon Alley,"
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Thomas looked at one another then cheered.
