Welcome to Hogwarts
A/N: Finally, it's here. The twins are finally old enough to attend Hogwarts.
Daniel and Erica Potter stared with shining eyes at the scarlet steam engine. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her hand tightly clasped in her brother's.
He nodded his agreement. "Yes, it is."
"Well, let's get you two on the train." Their mother's brisk voice interrupted the moment as she emerged onto the platform herself, adjusting the square glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.
Erica looked up at her mother. "Are you alright, Mum?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Lass," Minerva smiled down at her daughter. "Now, let's get you on board." The twins allowed their mother to propel them towards the train. Both had heard the very faint tremble in Minerva's voice, but knew better than to call attention to it. In no time, Minerva had helped them put their trunks in the luggage van and they were ready to board. "Now, you two be good, all right?"
Erica nodded solemnly. "Yes, Mum."
Daniel held her stern gaze for a moment before dropping it to the platform between them. "Yes, Mum."
Minerva ruffled her son's hair. "No matter which House you're Sorted into, I'll be proud of you."
The boy looked up and smiled. "Thanks, Mum."
Kissing each on the forehead, she watched them climb aboard the Hogwarts Express. Daniel and Erica pressed their faces to the window to watch as their mother grew smaller behind them until the train moved around a bend and she was gone. They settled into their seats and Erica pulled out a book to pass the time. Daniel fidgeted, growing nervous with each passing mile.
* * *
Daniel and Erica exchanged excited looks as they climbed the front stairs with the other first-years. They'd be seeing their stepfather in just a few minutes! They'd been warned over and over that they were to treat him just like any other professor and not to expect special treatment, but Daniel was wriggling like an excited puppy and Erica was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. Hagrid, the assistant gamekeeper, raised a large fist and knocked three times on the front door. It opened to reveal none other than Albus Dumbleodore, looking distinguished in his midnight blue robes embroidered with silver moons and stars. Erica took a breath to shout a greeting, but Daniel clapped his hand over her mouth. "Sh, Rica. Remember what they told us?"
The girl glared at him, but nodded all the same. Together, they followed the other students into the castle. It was huge! The small, cozy cottage they shared with their parents and younger sister and brother could easily have fit into it with room to spare. They didn't have time to linger, though, but followed Professor Dumbledore into a small room off the entrance hall. "Welcome to Hogwarts," he greeted them, bright blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. "I am Professor Dumbledore. The Welcoming Feast will begin in a few moments. Before it takes place, however, you will be Sorted into your Houses. They will become your family here at Hogwarts. You will sleep in your House dormitories, take classes with your House, and spend whatever free time you have in your House common room. There are four Houses and they are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House, of course, has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are students here, your triumphs will earn you House points and any rule-breaking, accidental or on purpose, will lose House points. The Sorting will begin in a few minutes. I suggest you take these few moments to make yourselves presentable, as it will be taking place in front of the school. I will be back when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."
With that, he was gone and the students broke into a babble of nervous questions. Daniel tried to flatten his hair. "Give it a rest, Danny, you know it won't stay flat."
"I can try, Rica," he shot back, trying not to show how nervous he was.
"Take it easy, Bro," she murmured, glancing at the other students. None took any notice of them. "If we end up in different Houses, promise me you'll still be there for me?"
He nodded, gray eyes solemn. "I promise, Sis."
They exchange nervous smiles just as Professor Dumbledore returned. "We're ready for you now." He smiled at the students and some of them relaxed. "Now form a line and please follow me."
Erica held tight to her brother's hand as she followed him across the entrance hall and into the Great Hall. She barely glanced up at the ceiling, having heard about it from her mother many times already, as they walked up the Hall between two of the long House tables and stood in a line in front of the staff table facing the rest of the school. Daniel listened to the Sorting song impatiently while Erica listened with rapt attention. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Albus stepped forward holding a roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be Sorted. Abbot, Tristan."
A plump boy with blonde hair stepped forward, put on the hat, and sat down. After a moment, the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
While Erica paid close attention to the Sorting, Daniel only listened for his name, fidgeting with the clasps of his robes. Finally, though-- "Potter, Daniel!"
He stepped forward, put the hat on and sat down. "Hmm, now you're an interesting one." Daniel was startled, but struggled not to show it. "I Sorted your parents, you know. He was quite a bold fellow. She was quite intelligent and I almost put her in Ravenclaw, but she had her mother's courage as well as her father's intelligence."
_I don't care about my parents,_ he thought, _just sort me!_
"Dear me, rather impatient, aren't you?" the voice sounded amused! "Well, certainly not Hufflepuff for you. You're smart, too, but not studious, so Ravenclaw wouldn't fit. Perhaps Slytherin? No, you're too bold and reckless. Guess it's GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted to the whole school and the table on the far left cheered as Professor Dumbledore removed the hat. "Well done, Mr. Potter." Daniel gave the professor a fleeting smile before trotting off to join his new House mates. "Potter, Erica!"
Murmurs echoed around the room as Erica stepped forward to be Sorted. "Well, now, you're quite different from your brother, I must say. Not as bold, to be sure. Not as impatient, either." She smiled, some of the stunts Daniel had pulled coming to mind. "Quite a mind you have here. It would be an asset in Slytherin, but your patience would stand you in good stead in Hufflepuff. However, you've a ready mind that will be best suited for RAVENCLAW!"
Erica was smiling when Professor Dumbledore removed the hat. "Well done, Miss Potter." She favored him with a fleeting smile before setting off to join her fellow Ravenclaws.
The rest of the Sorting passed in a blur for the twins and it seemed like no time had passed before Professor Dumbledore was taking the stool and Sorting Hat away and the Headmaster, frail old Armando Dippet, was standing to address the students. "Welcome to Hogwarts, first years, and welcome back to the rest of you." He made some announcements about the forest on the grounds being forbidden to students, no magic being allowed in the corridors, and instructions to see the flight instructor if you wanted to be on the Quidditch team. First years weren't allowed to play anyway, but Daniel and Erica were already planning on trying as soon as there was an opening.
Finally, it was time to eat. And eat they did, stuffing themselves fit to burst. After dessert had disappeared and everyone was feeling sleepy, they sang the school song, and then the prefects led the first years off to the dormitories. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors walked along together for a bit and the twins took the chance to talk. "What'd you think, Danny?"
"The bloody hat started going on about our parents," he whispered to her before yawning widely. "Told it I didn't care about them and to just sort me."
"Just like you," she murmured with a grin, before yawning herself. "At least you'll get to see Papa."
"Shh, Rica," he glanced around. No one was listening to them. They were too tired and full from dinner. "I saw him say something to you before you sat down. What was it?"
"Well done, Miss Potter," she whispered. "What about you?"
"Well done, Mr. Potter," was the answer, just as the two groups went in opposite directions. "See you tomorrow, Sis."
"See you, Bro." They parted ways and followed their prefects up to their dormitories. They were soon snuggled under warm covers, crimson and twilight blue hangings drawn around their respective beds, sleeping peacefully.
* * *
In the Head of Gryffindor's rooms, Albus knelt on the hearth. "They're safe and sound, my dear."
The head in the fireplace gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Albus. Which Houses?"
"Danny-boy is a lion and Rica is an eagle," he told her, blue eyes twinkling merrily.
She smiled. "I thought as much." Her face softened. "I miss you, Albus."
"I miss you, too, my dear, but Anna and Tiberius need you." He gazed fondly at his wife.
"I know." She sighed. "Always, Albus."
"Forever, Minerva."
With that, the head was gone and Albus Dumbledore was left alone in his rooms. Sighing, he rose and began to prepare for bed.
* * *
In Leómann Cottage, Minerva McGonagall sat back on her heels. She was going to miss them. All three of them. A cry of "Mummy!" from upstairs reminded her that she still had two children to take care of. Getting to her feet, she headed upstairs to comfort her youngest.
A/N: Finally, it's here. The twins are finally old enough to attend Hogwarts.
Daniel and Erica Potter stared with shining eyes at the scarlet steam engine. "It's beautiful," she murmured, her hand tightly clasped in her brother's.
He nodded his agreement. "Yes, it is."
"Well, let's get you two on the train." Their mother's brisk voice interrupted the moment as she emerged onto the platform herself, adjusting the square glasses perched on the bridge of her nose.
Erica looked up at her mother. "Are you alright, Mum?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Lass," Minerva smiled down at her daughter. "Now, let's get you on board." The twins allowed their mother to propel them towards the train. Both had heard the very faint tremble in Minerva's voice, but knew better than to call attention to it. In no time, Minerva had helped them put their trunks in the luggage van and they were ready to board. "Now, you two be good, all right?"
Erica nodded solemnly. "Yes, Mum."
Daniel held her stern gaze for a moment before dropping it to the platform between them. "Yes, Mum."
Minerva ruffled her son's hair. "No matter which House you're Sorted into, I'll be proud of you."
The boy looked up and smiled. "Thanks, Mum."
Kissing each on the forehead, she watched them climb aboard the Hogwarts Express. Daniel and Erica pressed their faces to the window to watch as their mother grew smaller behind them until the train moved around a bend and she was gone. They settled into their seats and Erica pulled out a book to pass the time. Daniel fidgeted, growing nervous with each passing mile.
* * *
Daniel and Erica exchanged excited looks as they climbed the front stairs with the other first-years. They'd be seeing their stepfather in just a few minutes! They'd been warned over and over that they were to treat him just like any other professor and not to expect special treatment, but Daniel was wriggling like an excited puppy and Erica was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. Hagrid, the assistant gamekeeper, raised a large fist and knocked three times on the front door. It opened to reveal none other than Albus Dumbleodore, looking distinguished in his midnight blue robes embroidered with silver moons and stars. Erica took a breath to shout a greeting, but Daniel clapped his hand over her mouth. "Sh, Rica. Remember what they told us?"
The girl glared at him, but nodded all the same. Together, they followed the other students into the castle. It was huge! The small, cozy cottage they shared with their parents and younger sister and brother could easily have fit into it with room to spare. They didn't have time to linger, though, but followed Professor Dumbledore into a small room off the entrance hall. "Welcome to Hogwarts," he greeted them, bright blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. "I am Professor Dumbledore. The Welcoming Feast will begin in a few moments. Before it takes place, however, you will be Sorted into your Houses. They will become your family here at Hogwarts. You will sleep in your House dormitories, take classes with your House, and spend whatever free time you have in your House common room. There are four Houses and they are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each House, of course, has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are students here, your triumphs will earn you House points and any rule-breaking, accidental or on purpose, will lose House points. The Sorting will begin in a few minutes. I suggest you take these few moments to make yourselves presentable, as it will be taking place in front of the school. I will be back when we are ready for you. Please wait quietly."
With that, he was gone and the students broke into a babble of nervous questions. Daniel tried to flatten his hair. "Give it a rest, Danny, you know it won't stay flat."
"I can try, Rica," he shot back, trying not to show how nervous he was.
"Take it easy, Bro," she murmured, glancing at the other students. None took any notice of them. "If we end up in different Houses, promise me you'll still be there for me?"
He nodded, gray eyes solemn. "I promise, Sis."
They exchange nervous smiles just as Professor Dumbledore returned. "We're ready for you now." He smiled at the students and some of them relaxed. "Now form a line and please follow me."
Erica held tight to her brother's hand as she followed him across the entrance hall and into the Great Hall. She barely glanced up at the ceiling, having heard about it from her mother many times already, as they walked up the Hall between two of the long House tables and stood in a line in front of the staff table facing the rest of the school. Daniel listened to the Sorting song impatiently while Erica listened with rapt attention. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Albus stepped forward holding a roll of parchment. "When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be Sorted. Abbot, Tristan."
A plump boy with blonde hair stepped forward, put on the hat, and sat down. After a moment, the hat shouted, "HUFFLEPUFF!"
While Erica paid close attention to the Sorting, Daniel only listened for his name, fidgeting with the clasps of his robes. Finally, though-- "Potter, Daniel!"
He stepped forward, put the hat on and sat down. "Hmm, now you're an interesting one." Daniel was startled, but struggled not to show it. "I Sorted your parents, you know. He was quite a bold fellow. She was quite intelligent and I almost put her in Ravenclaw, but she had her mother's courage as well as her father's intelligence."
_I don't care about my parents,_ he thought, _just sort me!_
"Dear me, rather impatient, aren't you?" the voice sounded amused! "Well, certainly not Hufflepuff for you. You're smart, too, but not studious, so Ravenclaw wouldn't fit. Perhaps Slytherin? No, you're too bold and reckless. Guess it's GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted to the whole school and the table on the far left cheered as Professor Dumbledore removed the hat. "Well done, Mr. Potter." Daniel gave the professor a fleeting smile before trotting off to join his new House mates. "Potter, Erica!"
Murmurs echoed around the room as Erica stepped forward to be Sorted. "Well, now, you're quite different from your brother, I must say. Not as bold, to be sure. Not as impatient, either." She smiled, some of the stunts Daniel had pulled coming to mind. "Quite a mind you have here. It would be an asset in Slytherin, but your patience would stand you in good stead in Hufflepuff. However, you've a ready mind that will be best suited for RAVENCLAW!"
Erica was smiling when Professor Dumbledore removed the hat. "Well done, Miss Potter." She favored him with a fleeting smile before setting off to join her fellow Ravenclaws.
The rest of the Sorting passed in a blur for the twins and it seemed like no time had passed before Professor Dumbledore was taking the stool and Sorting Hat away and the Headmaster, frail old Armando Dippet, was standing to address the students. "Welcome to Hogwarts, first years, and welcome back to the rest of you." He made some announcements about the forest on the grounds being forbidden to students, no magic being allowed in the corridors, and instructions to see the flight instructor if you wanted to be on the Quidditch team. First years weren't allowed to play anyway, but Daniel and Erica were already planning on trying as soon as there was an opening.
Finally, it was time to eat. And eat they did, stuffing themselves fit to burst. After dessert had disappeared and everyone was feeling sleepy, they sang the school song, and then the prefects led the first years off to the dormitories. The Ravenclaws and Gryffindors walked along together for a bit and the twins took the chance to talk. "What'd you think, Danny?"
"The bloody hat started going on about our parents," he whispered to her before yawning widely. "Told it I didn't care about them and to just sort me."
"Just like you," she murmured with a grin, before yawning herself. "At least you'll get to see Papa."
"Shh, Rica," he glanced around. No one was listening to them. They were too tired and full from dinner. "I saw him say something to you before you sat down. What was it?"
"Well done, Miss Potter," she whispered. "What about you?"
"Well done, Mr. Potter," was the answer, just as the two groups went in opposite directions. "See you tomorrow, Sis."
"See you, Bro." They parted ways and followed their prefects up to their dormitories. They were soon snuggled under warm covers, crimson and twilight blue hangings drawn around their respective beds, sleeping peacefully.
* * *
In the Head of Gryffindor's rooms, Albus knelt on the hearth. "They're safe and sound, my dear."
The head in the fireplace gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Albus. Which Houses?"
"Danny-boy is a lion and Rica is an eagle," he told her, blue eyes twinkling merrily.
She smiled. "I thought as much." Her face softened. "I miss you, Albus."
"I miss you, too, my dear, but Anna and Tiberius need you." He gazed fondly at his wife.
"I know." She sighed. "Always, Albus."
"Forever, Minerva."
With that, the head was gone and Albus Dumbledore was left alone in his rooms. Sighing, he rose and began to prepare for bed.
* * *
In Leómann Cottage, Minerva McGonagall sat back on her heels. She was going to miss them. All three of them. A cry of "Mummy!" from upstairs reminded her that she still had two children to take care of. Getting to her feet, she headed upstairs to comfort her youngest.