A/N: People reviewed! I 'm a little shocked, I wasn't sure anyone was going to read this. I wasn't going to update for another week, but I got two lovely reviews so if you're enjoying this chapter you have Ruth and MaraWeaves to thank for it. It'll be another week unless I get more review hint hint
Chapter 2 -- Housing and Old One
Will sighed; another train ride, and another unchanging reflection. Events after the incident at the wand shop had been rather unremarkable. Will was given a room in the Leaky Caldron, and instructions to the train station to leave for Hogwarts the next day. Now bound for the famous school of wizardry, Will pondered his duties as an Old One.
As the Watcher, the Old One was bound to forever guard the world from the return of the Dark, but at the same time was forbidden to interfere with balance of power between humans. How far should he allow himself to become involved in the war against Voldemort?
Deep in thought, Will jumped when he heard the compartment door open.
The shock turned to amusement as he realized that cause of his near heart attack was none of than the famous Harry Potter and his two sidekicks. Before Harry could ask, Will graciously nodded and gestured to the seats in invitation. The two boys and girl sat quickly as the train lurched as it began its progress towards Hogwarts.
"Hi, my name is Hermione and this is Ron, we're both Griffyndors," the red headed girl said in an authoritative manner. "And this is our friend Harry Potter."
All three children waited for the standard response of shock and awe – which never came. Will smiled inwardly at the surprised faces of the children. As an Old One, Will understood the heavy weight of a important destiny thrust upon your shoulders at a young age. However, as a creature of the Light he could not allow sentiment to guide his actions.
"How do you do? My name is Will."
Ron leaned towards Will and whispered as if reported a dark secret, "Haven't you ever heard of Harry Potter?"
At Will's puzzled expression, Harry quickly changed to the subject by asking Hermione, "So, Hermione, what extra reading did you do over the summer?"
Catching Harry's unease, Hermione quickly responded, "I was researching the legend of Merlin's Order. I'm glad the summer is over, because now I have access to Hogwarts library."
Merlin's Order? I wonder if that is a reference to the Old Ones…Will thought.
"Blimey, did Merlin really exist?" Will asked in an innocent tone.
Ron groaned as Hermione warmed to her topic, adopting a lecturing tone. Which, to Will's amusement, resembled the one Merriman used when Will had first come into his powers as an Old One.
"It is said that Merlin was part of, or created, an order known as the Circle. The order's members were the most powerful wizards of the time. However, there has been no records of an order existing, nor have there been any descendants found of the original members."
Interesting, the Circle is obviously a reference to the Circle of Old Ones, but the Wizarding World has no other knowledge of the Old Ones, Will mused. They must ignore the folk legends as muggle fantasy, thinking the only magic in the world is their own.
Ron, desperate to avoid another long lecture from Hermione, asked Will, "So, Will, were you're parents really surprised when you received your letter?"
"Actually, my parents died when I was young." The other children fell into an awkward silence.
"I understand, my parents were killed by Voldemort when I was just a baby."
This statement, or rather a single word, caused Ron and Hermione to cringe.
"Harry! Would you stop saying You-know-whose name. I know you don't care, but some of us prefer not to tempt bloody fate," cried Ron.
"Sorry" "Ron, don't swear!" came Harry and Hermione's simultaneous answers.
At this, Will began to laugh which in turn set off the other three children. When they calmed down enough, the four children began to chat with Will like old friends. The Old One realized he had missed the sense of companionship between others who shared your destiny. These young heroes reminded Will of another four children who had a grave duty thrust upon them and had not only risen to the occasion, but succeeded splendidly.
Eventually, Will raised a question. "Hermione, what did you mean earlier when you said that you, Ron, and Harry were Gryffindors?"
The three were surprised for a second, having forgotten that their new friend was an first year – and muggle born. Will gave off an aura of being older, and Harry felt kinship with the boy who had lost his parents early, like himself.
"All the children in Hogwarts are divided into one of four houses: Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw," replied Hermione.
"What's the difference between the houses, and how are they decided? Do you draw lots or something"
"No, they use a sorting hat which looks into your mind and decides where you're best suited to be. Gryffindors are courageous and daring; Slytherins are manipulative and sneaky; Hufflepuffs are loyal and true; and Ravenclaws are intelligent and wise."
Will vaguely remembered references to houses when dealing with wizards, and though curious, he had not thought it important at the time. Perhaps the house system played a greater role in the Wizarding World than he had originally thought.
"I wonder what house I'll be in?" Will wondered out loud.
His new friends all assured him that he would be in Gryffindor.
The train ride ended quickly, and soon Will was gathered with the other first years. As they entered Hogwarts, the Old One was amused as he watched his classmates gape at the extravagant hall. The spells used to create the hall were rather simple, especially for an Old One, but created quite an impressive view.
Minerva welcomed the first years and the hat sang his welcoming song; but all the while Will felt the gaze of the headmaster.
Probably worried about where my dark phoenix has gone. Will chuckled at the thought, and it was to prevent panic that the Old One had asked Munin to remain out of sight. Since black phoenixes preferred the shadows, Munin was all too happy to agree.
The other first years were welcomed to their new houses until only Will remained.
"Will!" Minerva read, and the hall grew silent as the boy will only a first name approached the Sorting Hat.
Will kept his mental shields firmly in place as the hat was set upon his head. Not necessarily to keep any secrets – for he knew the hat was designed to only see surface thoughts and tendencies rather than memories – but to prevent the hat from being hurt by the power of his mind.
The hat was silent as it tried to probe to boy's mind. Trying, and not succeeding. Will slowly allowed his surface thoughts to be read.
I'm sorry I'm blocking you from my mind, but I thought this would be the safest way.
The Sorting Hat jumped in surprise, and responded only to Will.
How are you able to block me? No one has ever done so before!
It may be that they have never tried, but I wished to talk to you before you began to probe my mind for my house.
Ask away, young wizard.
Which house was Voldemort in?
The hat was shocked at the question. How could a boy this powerful not know something as simple as that?
He was in Slytherin, in fact, he was the heir to Slytherin. Did you not grow up in the Wizarding World?
No. I was raised by muggles until I began to live on the streets. I sensed within a boy, Harry Potter, a connection to Voldemort. Yet, the boy is in Gryffindor.
Yes, young Potter. Voldemort tried to kill him but succeeded in only scarring the boy – Potter now has access to Voldemort's powers. Though whether Voldemort is still alive is anyone's guess.
Thank you, I will allow you access my mind. But, do tell me if it becomes painful.
The Sorting hat was about to retort that that was not likely to happen when it was poured over by the power of the boy's mind. Dimly, the hat realized that Will was tempering his power, allowing the hat to regain its senses. The sheer power of Will's mind shocked the hat. Never had it felt such power; not from Dumbledore, Tom Riddle, or Harry Potter.
Beyond the power was a sharp intelligence. He would do well in Ravenclaw. But the courage surging from the depths was powerful, as well as his ruthlessness in achieving his aims. Such a strong personality would be too much for Hufflepuff, for certain. Intelligence did not necessarily mean a Ravenclaw; for Hermione was doing quite well in Gryffindor. Hmmm…but there is cunning and ruthlessness. A practicality and willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve his ends; that is definitely the characteristic of a Slytherin.
This boy would do well in any of these three houses.
The hat continued to mull over its decision, as the time passed until fifteen minutes had already gone by. The students waited breathlessly, their hunger momentarily forgotten by the unusual event. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were anxious as they watched their friend calmly wait the Sorting Hat's decision.
They, too, had been surprised that Will had no last name. Harry suddenly felt very glad that even though he no longer had his parents, at least he knew others who knew them. Will must have no one.
Albus and Minerva exchanged glances. The boy was a walking contradiction; muggle raised yet calm about the use of magic; master to a death phoenix, yet was greeted by the spirit of Merlin; whose wand contained both the essence of death and the essence of life. Which house would he be placed into?
I'm sorry to be a bother, but it appears the other students are growing rather restless. Would you like to see more of mind, in order to have a better understanding of which house I should belong?
The Sorting Hat was surprised at the sympathetic offer, and wondered what else the boy could show him. Although it most likely would not help, he was intrigued by what else may lie hidden behind Will's shield. Instead of dropping his shield, Will brought forth memories to show the Sorting Hat.
The Sorting Hat saw Will surrounded by his family at a young age, happy and content; Will in dozens of foster homes and finally taking to the streets; Will with friends with a feeling of responsibility, urgency, and determination flowing through the memory. Finally, a memory of the feeling of completeness and happiness and light. The hat did not know where the memory was occurring, or details, the feelings in the memory were overwhelming.
Will had chosen memories that would not reveal his nature, but had shown the hat the feelings he had experienced when the Circle was called during the rising of the Dark. It was his way of apologizing for being a difficult 'patient'.
In a gruff voice the Sorting Hat thanked Will for the memory. I never felt such peace in any mine before, and I believe I now know where to place you. Ravenclaw's are always searching for more knowledge – never sated – and Slytherin are driven by ambition and thirsting for power. So I name you …
"Gryffindor!"
Will smiled gently the hat. As it was placed back on the stool, Will surprised everyone by bowing deeply to the hat, and the surprise increased as the hat gave a bow in return. The Old One walked towards Gryffindor table, pleased to see that Harry patted the space next to him.
Will sat down and smiled at his friend and fellow house-mates.
"The Sorting Hat is a marvellous fellow, isn't he?"
TBC