The 8 Who United Hogwarts
By: Lina Gabriev
Disclaimer: I don't own Slayers, or the Harry Potter Series.
Note and Disclaimer: One quote, which is slightly modified, is from Angel. "Heroes don't accept the world for the way they are. They try to change it." I don't own Angel, nor do I claim to. Although I am very pissed for the simple reason that they shut the show down -- [Author's rant is now finished, thank you all for your time. (Curtsies and disappears)]
The 8 Who United Hogwarts Chapter 6 Friendship is Forever...Right?
The sorting hat proceeded by calling out names, ignoring the Slayers. The Slayers oddly felt like a fad that had gone out of style as the first years shook themselves out of their reveries, walked up to the hat, like the Slayers had done. With them, the attention riveted from them to the long line, or among themselves, except for a few people who stole occasional glances.
"RAVENCLAW!" the sorting hat shouted.
The Slayers watched as the kid made his way to the table designated as Ravenclaw. The glances the kids that were paying attention to them still, were making were slightly scaring Lina, who loved attention more then anyone. Some were delighted and thought it was awesome to have them at their school, those people were the youngest and most inexperienced of the things the school has been though the past five years at Hogwarts. Those kids were the first years. Most, however, made by the older kids, had a scared look on them, wishing that things that were trying to destroy Hogwarts would leave that alone, and some blamed the very people who save them year after year, Harry and his friends. Secretly wishing the evil would come and kill those would-be heroes, and leave them alone. Heroes, in their opinion, were just things that attract danger wherever they go. Which was the reason why the kids who thought this couldn't be those heroes. Those kids, just go on accepting things as they are, not trying to find a way to stop the evil. Heroes, don't do that, Heroes don't accept the world for the way they are. They try to change it.
After watching a few more people take seats at the table that was designated to each of them, Amelia opened her mouth to speak, "Miss Lina, don't you think we should be doing what they are doing? Finding seats at the table that has people who are in the group the sorting hat choose for us?"
"Nah. I mean I didn't see any rules or nothin', let's just go sit at the Griffindor table with Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Neville," Lina said, knowing she'd be stuck sitting with Xelloss while the rest of the girl got to sit with each other.
Sitting over at the Griffindor table, Ron asked the question everyone wanted to ask, "What the bloody hell was that about?"
"Believe me Ron, we couldn't tell you even if we did know that was going to happen. I mean you didn't actually think I'd have sat here wanting to go up there did you? Had I known, I would have pretended to be lost and came after the sorting," Lina said, neglecting the fact that she also made a total fool of herself while she was up there, yelling at a hat.
Some around them were shocked seeing as they hadn't followed the tradition of going to the group the sorting hat had chosen. If a sorting hat could smile, it would have been smirking right now.
Hermione decided to point their error out to them, "Lina? You do know that you should be going to the Slytherin table right? And that everyone else with the exception of Gourry and Zangulus should be leaving to the correct table also?"
"Yeah, I mean you guys just broke some unwritten rule or something," Ron pointed out.
"So what? What are they going to do to make us?" Lina asked, smugly, knowing she could take what ever they threw at her.
"Well, you could get Detention with any of the teachers, or have your house points taken away, or have to stay in the forbidden forest..."
"Or lose your life...or worse get expelled," Ron recited from memory, with a mocking tone in his voice.
"Don't be ridiculous, they wouldn't go to that extreme..." Hermione said not paying the slightest bit of attention that she had just been made fun of.
"Well then we'll stay here until they tell us otherwise won't they?" Lina said.
"I guess...," Hermione said, unsure.
The line of first years became shorter and shorter until none were left. Professor McGonagall hurried away with the stool and the sorting hat, the noise in the room diminishing with the hat as everyone spotted Dumbledore stand up.
"Before we begin our banquet I would like to bring a warm welcome. Welcome to you all. To the newcomers as well as the ones who have come back for another year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said, sitting down again as the plates filled with food.
Lina and Goury's squeal of delight drowned out the gasps of surprise from the Slayers for the food that had appeared on the plates.
"This is my dream come true! Gourry! Food!" Lina said with passion and love.
"I know Lina," Gourry said, tears filling both of their eyes, seconds before digging in, literally.
"I don't see what the fuss is all about, but that might be because I can't eat the food," a new voice behind them said sadly.
"Sir Nicholas!" Hermione greeted.
"A Ghost?" Lina said, although it came out more as 'a ruhosf'.
"Lovely table manners I see, although I don't believe you are a Griffindor," Nearly Headless Nick replied, the normally friendly ghost's (LG: Casper! Uh sorry: impulse) eyes narrowing somewhat.
"What's it to you?" Lina said, after gulping down her food.
"Well you should be over there with the Bloody Baron and the rest of the Slytherin's then," Nearly Headless Nick said.
"Yeah, yeah so I've been told, but hell if I'm going to let some dead guy tell me what to do," Lina said, threateningly.
"What are you going to do? Kill me? No wait, behead me right?" Nearly Headless Nick said, swinging his neck off his shoulders to show how he was nearly beheaded thus his nickname.
"Ew," Amelia said, cringing, she pushed her plate away, followed by Sylphiel and Filia who decided they weren't hungry anymore.
Lina held a stern expression although she was compelled to say 'ew' with Amelia. "Well you can wait till I'm done eating for now, and then we'll talk business ok?"
After seeing he was going to get nowhere with this girl, he found it pointless to convince the others to move to their respectable tables. He floated away to greet the Griffindor first years.
"Hey Gourry! That's mine!" Lina screamed, realizing he had been stealing her food.
"Well you looked like you weren't going to eat it, since you were talking to the host," Gourry shrugged.
"He was a ghost, Gourry!" Lina yelled, forgetting the food incident for the moment and decided to focus on his stupidity, "As in see through! He was dead, not a host. A ghost!"
"That's what I said, host," Gourry said, scratching his head wondering what he had done wrong.
Lina, not noticing she was attracting a crowd of stares hit Gourry over the head repeatedly with a slipper. She then, to punish him stole some of his food, and continued with her feast, and soon after Gourry joined in.
Xelloss on the sidelines watched the spectacle in amusement, while Filia stared at him in suspicion as if all this was his fault. Zel on the other hand, human or not, hid his face in embarrassment. Just as he finally felt comfortable with everyone's stares, Lina and Gourry had to do their normal routine of scaring everyone around them to death, giving people the reason to look at them as if they were weirdoes.
Professor McGonagall, angry the scene that was destroying the order she wanted to maintain, strode up and with a commanding voice, told them to go to the table they were told to by the sorting hat. Lina, almost looking like she was going to object, took one look at the Professor's face, and decided it wasn't worth it.
Instead she decided to just be angry and took Xelloss by the ear and dragged him to the Slytherin table, pouting the entire time. Gourry made a move to join her, but remembered he couldn't and just watched glumly as she made her way away from him, dragging a smiling Xelloss behind her.
Amelia, Sylphiel, Filia, and Martina also took their leave towards the Hufflepuff table. Zelgadis following them only until he got to the Ravenclaw table. Martina and Sylphiel spared once last glance at the Griffindor table at the two people seated there, until a couple people introduced themselves to them. Like them, Amelia locked eyes with Zelgadis as if asking if he was going to be okay, not bothering to answer back, he turned away.
"My my Lina. You've gotten soft," Xelloss said, waggling a finger, indicating that she hadn't bothered to argue Professor McGonagall.
"Think doofus, that had I argued and then got angry and started throwing Fireballs, our cover would have totally been blown. Not that it wasn't already blown cause of that stupid hat. And then Zel could have said bye to his cure, and more importantly I could have said bye to learning any new spells," Lina said, making her way to the table, and deliberately sat across from Malfoy.
Malfoy gulped. He had been praying she was going to go somewhere else. Now instead of his prayer being granted, he was going to be seeing her everywhere.
Seeing his tentative glance, Lina grinned and said, "Boo." That one word made Malfoy jump out of his seat onto the floor. As scared as he was, he gave her a glare saying he was going to make her pay for that as everyone laughed, Ron and his friends being the loudest.
Praising herself for a success, Lina rewarded herself with some more food. For once, no one paid attention to Lina, and instead laughed at the bleach- blond, cherry faced boy on the floor.
Seeing Malfoy taken down a notch or two, Hermione forgot her suspicion and laughed, knowing that was probably going to happen to Malfoy a lot more often now that Lina was in Slytherin with Malfoy.
Gourry, held a little smile, despite not being able to be with Lina, at her antics, before plunging himself face-first in his food.
Zangulus, choose not to care much, but didn't try to hide a slight smile rising to the surface.
"Oh dear, do you think that boy is okay?" Sylphiel asked.
"I think the question should be whether he'll be okay by the time we leave here. He has to share close proximity with Miss Lina," Amelia said, forgetting how cruel he had been to Harry and his friends. No one deserved that much time with Lina, afterall.
"You're feeling sorry for that Malfoy character? I feel sorry for Miss Lina, seeing as she'll have to endure Xelloss," Filia said, worriedly.
"HA! Feel sorry for Lina Inverse?! I feel sorry for both that Malfoy character, and Xelloss, even if he is a monster," Martina said.
"Why would you care about that?! Don't you worship monsters?!" Filia said, her anger rising.
"Miss Filia please. If you transform here, who knows what chaos it will cause. Let's just compromise and say we are worried about all of them okay?" Amelia said trying to make peace between the two.
Calming down, Filia drank some tea, not hearing the sigh of relief from Amelia. Had Martina and Sylphiel known what happens when Filia gets really made, they might have tried to contribute to the cause of calming down Filia.
Sighing at the stupid scene playing out before him, Zel found himself somewhat enjoying the looks the girls were giving him but at the same time he felt exposed, naked. Human or not, he didn't like their stares, but that was all made up for with the reason as to why they were staring, somewhat. He didn't catch, however, the jealous looks from Amelia.
As the meal began to close, and Lina exclaimed she was full, the food disappeared off the plates, as Dumbledore rose once again to give the students the latest developments.
"Before I begin, everyone knows what I will say. Voldemort is indeed free, as we all know, however, he has yet to make his move against anyone during our break. A curfew will be in place, as your prefects will be telling you, and no students should be traveling alone. Our greatest strength is our numbers, ladies and gentlemen, and do know that if these rules are broken, then appropriate, but no less harsh, punishments will be given out. As always, the forest is off limits. But I urge you not to be afraid, for this place is the safest place for you now. First years, the rules are listed on Mr. Filch's door, and our older students should know them well. In these grave times, ignorance cannot be an excuse," Dumbledore said, looking tired.
"On a more happier note, we have a change in staffing this year. Professor Burtch, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher. Also our teachers who had been suspended last year, are back, I am glad to say."
Professor Nathaniel Burtch, stood up, tipped his head towards the students and sat back down. He had on black slacks, with a dark, blood red top that was slightly worn. Harry supposed that was the best shirt he had. Professor Burtch's dark black hair, was down past his ears, his bangs smoothed back to the back of his head, with a few escaping, and sweeping over his pale face, and dark brown eyes. He didn't exactly scream evil, as Harry would have hoped, but and seemed nice enough.
[If he's not working for Voldemort...] Harry thought to himself, thinking of the past Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers, [Then I hope whatever God there is will help him.]
Continuing, Dumbledore told everyone, "Quidditch Tryouts will begin the second week of the term."
Continuing on, Dumbledore eventually dismissed the school, after further emphasizing the need to be careful.
Ron and Hermione led the first years, as well as Gourry and Zangulus to the Griffindor common room. The other tables around them did the same.
"Password?" the fat lady asked.
Harry had already left and went inside. Ron stood in front of the painting of the fat lady, but had forgotten the password.
"Honestly Ron," Hermione said from behind him, making her way through the throng of people. She had stayed behind to watch the end, because a few people almost lost their way, in following them. "Luminous Catonia."
The portrait swung open, letting them in. The girls went through one door up to the girl's dormitory, and then boys went into the other. In the end, Harry, Ron, Gourry, Zangulus, and Neville ended up sharing a room.
"What happens if you don't know the password?" Gourry asked.
"The fat lady won't let you in. You'd have to wait till someone who does know the password comes by," Ron told him.
"Don't feel bad, I hardly ever remember the password," Nevilled said cheerfully.
"How long do you usually wait?" Gourry asked.
"Just a couple hours," Neville said.
"Great."
Falling asleep, Gourry and Zangulus both wondered what was happening with the others.
In the Hufflepuff common rooms, the girl found their way up to their room. Amelia, Sylphiel, Filia, and Martina, all shared their room.
"I'm glad we are all together at least," Filia said.
"Yeah which is more then I can say for Mr. Zelgadis," Amelia said.
"I'm sure he'll be fine Miss Amelia. He likes being alone. We'll still see him around," Filia reassured her.
"I guess..."
"I hoped Gourry-dear would be with me," Sylphiel said.
"At least he has my Zangulus keeping him company," Martina said, sighing.
"That's what I'm worried about," Amelia said.
"Xelloss would you shut up already!" Lina yelled back at him.
She rushed up to her to escape the annoying priest. Smiling he attempted to follow her, until the stairs moved below him and dumped him unceremoniously on the floor.
Seeing this as a priceless moment Lina laughed the entire time as she made her way up the stairs to get some beauty sleep. Not really caring who her roommates were, but two happened to be Millicent Bulstrode, the girl Hermione tried to take the identity in their second year, and Pansy Parkinson.
Xelloss on the other hand, found with great pleasure that his roommates were none other then Malfoy, Crab, and Goyle. "Why hello!" he greeted.
Sensing Xelloss not to be like Lina, he held out his hand, "Malfoy. You're friends with that Lina girl then? Great. So what's the best way to get back at her..."
Yep. This was the life. There were no more annoyances. Just a room filled with peace and quiet. His roommates were nice enough. No one he thought he could get close to. One of them was a prefect, Anthony Goldstein. Everything was perfect. As he found himself missing the others, he reprimanded himself. At least before when he didn't have them around he was doing something. Finding his cure. Just sitting here, being counterproductive seemed wrong. He was the Heartless Mystical Swordsmen. But Zel couldn't help missing his friends, despite his arguments against himself. So he occupied himself of thoughts of tomorrow, and what it would bring as he fell asleep.
Next Chapter: Classes
Author's Notes
That didn't take long. Just a week. Anyway, I hope you all liked this latest development. Don't have much to say this time, but I'll reply to the reviews, which I neglected to do last time. But I might not reply to all except for a simple Thank you. But please know that I mean it.
Ukchana - In your last review you mentioned the money problem. Honestly I don't know about that. I like your suggestions on the animals they should. You were very right about Filia's and what I should have done. I don't even know how I'm going to fix that! but I'll figure out something. Thanx for bringing it to my attention!
Gerao-A - Yeah I saw the new Harry Potter movie. It was really good, but also very predictable seeing as I read the books. It followed it almost perfectly this time. Great special effects. I know you'll enjoy it when you see it.
Southpaw - Sorry about the long time. I was getting through exams, SOLs, Track, and home life. Not to mention no inspiration. I had gotten stuck on one particular part last chapter, and couldn't seem to get over that part. Glad you are still reading though. The whole point of my story, which I had thought ws pretty obvious (it is to me cause I'm writing it) but I'm glad it's not. You'll find out why, or I will explain when the time comes, why I split everyone apart.
Darling Chii - You finally get to figure out who the DADA teacher is this chapter. I had so many ideas. It wasn't until you brought the DADA teacher to my attention that I started thinking about it. And that is where I got stuck in my transition from the Fourth to Fifth Chapter, even though I didn't introduce him until now. I find that all my chapters have varied in length. This is the kind of chapter is the kind that used to be my longest until that last one. But mostly it was long cause of that poem. I liked Lina's sorting too! It was alot of fun to right. My favorite part was when she threw the hat on the ground and the hat just kept right on insulting her.
Fox Fire - Sorry! I've already explained my lateness in my previous responses, and I'll have to warn you, I'll be gone on vacation for a three week period in August. So I'll try to get a couple more chapters in before then. Sorry! As for Martina and Zangulus. I'm sorry if this spoils everything for you but they got married at the end of NEXT. And Martina became the Queen we are guessing due to the fact that Martina's father made it sound like he was leaving, he was so happy to get rid of Martina!
Yumekage - I felt sorry for Gourry too! Not that he could protect her anyway, not in any effective way without getting himself killed.
SetsunaFanGirl - Just tell me when there not being in character please. I'm glad they didn't seem to be OOC last chapter though.
Natasha-L, Purple Pixie, samantha - Thanx for reviewing and for the compliments!