It Has Begun Again
Chapter 2: Sorting Secrets
The weather had changed dramatically since Kings Cross and the rain was pounding against the windows, as the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogsmeade. Griffon, Talia, Kyle, and Nina got off the train staying close together.
"Firs' yea's 'his way!" a voice roared over the thunder, "Come 'long!"
The first years followed the shaggy half giant onto the boats. Talia, Griffon, Kyle, and Nina got into the same boat, each dripping wet. Talia felt the uneasiness of all the first years and it was making her more self-conscious than she already was.
As the boats glided across the lake Griffon strained his eyes through the sheets of rain for the first signs of Hogwarts. The first thing he saw sat on the outskirts of some trees against the lake's bank. Behind it was Hogwarts. The thing caught his attention and he nudged Talia. Unable to make out the image of the silhouetted stone, he contented himself with not caring as they got on land and approached the door.
Talia however had a feeling that the ground beneath her held more skeletons than a Malfoy's closet. Three loud knocks took her from her thoughts.
The door opened and they were ushered into a small side room. Moments later up tight looking woman with tight lips and hair in a bun walked into the room and instructed them, "I'm Professor McGonagall head of Gryffindor house and Transfiguration teacher. The sorting will commence shortly. You will be called up to sit under the Sorting Hat. You will be sorted into one of the four houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Once you're sorted move quickly to your House table."
"Follow me," she said as the doors opened to the noisy Hall.
They walked through the middle of the Hall to stand in front of a tattered old hat. The group of first years stared at the hat for sometime before the rip opened and the hat started to sing:
"Time does come
And I do wonder,
If I created this nasty blunder.
So listen well with ready ears,
I'll say it again
So have no fear.
If you are of ready mind
In Ravenclaw will be your kind;
If great deeds be to name
In Gryffindor you'll do no shame;
If you're loyal in heart
In Hufflepuff you'll do you part;
And if you're of great cunning
Into Slytherin you'll be going.
I remind you
And wish to make you see
How great school-wide friendship could be
But I was made to quarter you
That's what the Founder's of our great school
Wanted me to do.
If you wish to not repeat that war
I suggest you don't keep quartered.
I have said it again
Let the Sorting now begin."
The Hat went still and the Hall burst into applause. McGonagall unrolled the scroll and started "Anchor, Julian." A boy walked up to the stool and sat, he sat under the Hat for a short while before… "SLYTHERIN!" He walked proudly to his house table.
"Barrie, Kyle," Kyle sat under the Hat for a moment. "GRYFFINDOR!" The Hall cheered.
Talia was barely paying attention to the Sorting until, "Longbottom, Nina," Nina sat under the Hat and smiled before it said… "GRYFFINDOR!" and cheers rang the Hall.
"Malfoy, Noctis," the Hat took some time and it seemed as though Malfoy was arguing with the Hat before it called out… "SLYTHERIN!" Malfoy was pale and had a look of relief as he went to the Slytherin table.
"Potter, Griffon," McGonagall said and the ripple of whispers went among the older students. The Hat fell over his black hair.
"Hmmm. A Potter," a voice said in his head, "and you, a mind-link but an independent power. Becareful with that power, this school holds more magical strings. How odd… a twin. It's been awhile… GRYFFINDOR!" The Hall exploded with cheers. Griffon seated himself with Nina and Barrie.
"Potter, Talia," McGonagall read and that caused more of a stir than her brother's name did. The Hat slid over Talia's head and she was immersed in darkness.
"Potters, Potters, Potters," the Hat said inside her head, "And eight Weasleys headed this way! You have a gift…"
"Empathy," Talia said to the Hat.
"Your mind, your heart though they are both too open…GRYFFINDOR!"
Her housemates enthusiastically welcomed Talia as McGonagall called, "Quarts, Ben," who was sorted into Hufflepuff. "Snape, Shelly," McGonagall called and the Hall filled with whispers.
What is all the excitement? Griffon's voice rang in Taila's head.
I do not know but it has something to do with the Potions Master Dad was telling us about.
That's right Professor Severus Snape. A slimy haired git according to Uncle Fred and Uncle George. It must be him right there. Griffon point to the man in a black cloak who was wearing a look of distaste when Talia went up.
But now Talia realized he wore a look of confusion. This Shelly girl seems to be a complete mystery to him. But they do look similar, except for the fact that she knows how to smile.
"RAVENCLAW!" the Hat said loudly and Shelly Snape walked to her House table in complete ignorance.
The Sorting ended shortly and Dumbledore stood, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. And as always I start the year with 'tuck in!'" He clapped his hands and the food appeared on the table.
The next day was Saturday and the twins were up early. By eight o'clock they had pulled Kyle and Nina from bed and were headed for the grounds. The sun had come out and yesterday's rain was nowhere to be found. They were walking towards the lake when something on the edge of the trees caught Griffon's attention.
"What is that?" Griffon asked.
"I don't know," Talia said, "Hogwarts, A History didn't have anything in it about anything in that area."
"Well," said Kyle, "lets go find out what it is."
The four moved across the grounds and a set of eyes watched. Dumbledore felt guilty looking over the young ones and whispered to himself, "may the truth set free the chained dove."
Talia stopped a second as guilt laced her conscious and she looked toward an upper window of the closest tower. "Talia," Nina said waving a hand in front of Talia's face.
"Sorry," Talia said and they continued to the edge of the wood.
A marble slate stood in the field; pictures of battles carved in the sides. The carvings didn't move like wizard pictures. People were shown dying and triumphing.
"What is this?" Griffon asked looking at it.
"A memorial," Kyle said earning him a look from the three, "a Muggle thing, usually used to honor people who died in war. They usually put it in the place of last battle or place peace was reached; an important place."
"Look!" Nina said pointing to an inscription near the bottom of the slate.
"Children, friends, housemates, D.A. members, former students, Aurors these people died in the War against Voldemort. Let their memory as well as their cause forever be remembered. May this many never have to suffer again. Let these heroes' and their words live infinitely in our hearts-" Griffon read, "Ginny Weasley…" he looked at Talia.
"Mom?!" Talia questioned.
Nina gasped and kneeled to read one of the markers on the ground, "War brings out the true demeanor of people. Courage, caring, a willingness to sacrifice one's self for another, love, friendship: all these are shown in war. Too bad it takes evil to make us see the good - Neville Longbottom."
"Your father?" Kyle asked. Nina nodded, "This is all new to you. Some secrets."
Talia's eyes widened, "Nina, you said Neville told you he was 'sorry for the secrecy.' Could this be what he meant?"
"I guess," Nina replied.
"It is exactly what your father meant Ms. Longbottom," the group spun around to come face to face with Headmaster Dumbledore.
"Headmaster," the group addressed the elderly man.
"What is all of this? What do our parents have to do with these?" Griffon pointed to the slates on the ground and the memorial.
Dumbledore breathed deeply and proceeded to sit on a bench that sat in the shade of the trees. The group of friends followed him.
"You all know of Voldemort," Dumbledore said as each nodded and was glad to see that they had informed Kyle, "Harry Potter was his enemy and they faced off when Harry was one and again at age 11, 12, 14, 15, and 17. Harry saw horrors most his age could never dream in a million nightmares. After many years with the love of many friends, dead and alive, he defeated Voldemort just as was prophesied. Then as if by magic he disappeared.
"Many thought him dead with the exception of his best friends, Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger, and someone he never knew he had, Ginerva Weasley. And just as Hermione figured it out Harry returned. He had been visiting the 'Ghosts of Pasts' as they've come to be known. And these 'slates' on the ground are many of their advice to the world. The rest are what the survivors said at the memorial."
Talia looked at some of the ones around her and recognized their names. Dumbledore got an idea of what she was looking for and said, "His is opposite your mother's."
Talia nodded and headed back to the tall slate of marble and went to the opposite of the inscription that held her mother's name. She read the inscription she found, "My life was ruled by a prophecy. People died so that I could fulfill my destiny. I wish that no more were to live their lives ruled by a prophecy. – Harry Potter."
"Sadly your father's wish won't come true," Dumbledore said looking at Griffon.
"Why all the secrecy?" Kyle asked.
"The world knows," Dumbledore replied thoughtfully, "the Longbottoms, the Potters, and the Weasleys have chosen to teach their children the destruction of war in another way."
"Telling us wasn't an option?" Nina said pissed.
Dumbledore replied, "I believe your uncle said it best, "Dumbledore looked at Talia, "when he said that no one understands loss or destruction from stories, stories are like fairy tales you can know them by heart but never understand them." Dumbledore walked from their presence without another word.
Talia was steamed. She stood quickly and partly ran to the castle. She made it up the many flights of stairs in what Griffon, Nina, and Kyle (who were trying to keep up) thought had to be record time. They lost her turning the corner to the Fat Lady.
"Jobberknoll," Griffon yelled at the portrait even though he was out of breath. As Griffon, Nina, and Kyle climbed through the portrait hole the Common Room was clear except Talia sitting in front of the fire. Kyle gasped at the fact that Ginny Potter's head was floating in the fire. Ginny greeted each of the children.
"Why Mum?" asked Griffon. Harry's head appeared in the fire.
"Talia, Griffon, go to Dumbledore's office the password is lemonheads," Harry told his children.
"What about me?" Nina demanded.
Harry whispered to someone behind him, "Yes Nina you too, hurry up you three." And he was gone.
"I'll wait here," Kyle said as the three rushed out the door, "Not that you three will notice."
Sorry Kyle, Talia's voice echoed in his head.
"What the…?" Kyle jumped.
Okay people in order for me to update agian i'm looking to total fifteen reviews. so be kind even if you don't like it SAY IT! Thank you to those who have previously reviewed.