Year Three at Hogwarts
Chapter 3: Third Year Begins
Tyler woke up on the morning of August 30th to many owls in his rooms carrying packages and letters. They looked like they have been waiting for a while for him to get up.
'Great, birthday presents,' Tyler thought with glee.
He jumped out of bed and untied every owl of their letters and packages and set them all in a pile on his bed and settled himself down. Before he started opening the parcels, Chaos slithered to the side of his bed. Pandy wasn't at his owl stand but Tyler assumed that he was out hunting.
"Tyler, Happy Birthday!" Chaos hissed to him.
"You remembered?" Tyler hissed back.
"Of course, this marks the day that we came into each other's life as well as Pandy."
"Oh, so you did remember what I told you."
"I'm not stupid Tyler, I listen to what you tell me."
"Then why is it so hard for you to listen when I tell you to stay out of sight or get into the trunk?"
Chaos had conveniently coughed very hard so he couldn't answer.
Tyler went to the nearest parcel, which had surprisingly turned out to be from Morgan. Morgan was his a dark cherry red haired girl in his year who became his newest friend before the end of the term. Inside was a photo of her waving and smiling at him with a note attached.
Happy Birthday Tyler. Regulus told me that you took pictures of all your friends last year to keep with you everywhere. Well, I decided to send you mine to keep with your collection. I can't wait to see you in at September 1st.
MorganTyler was speechless at Morgan's gift. It was really something for her to give him a symbol of their new friendship. He took her picture and hung it on the wall with that of his other single pictures of his friends and then went back to his present pile on his bed.
Tyler picked a package that had brown paper covering it. Inside was a container with a label on it. It said "OceanWave Hair Gel". He was confused by what this stuff was and began looking into the box for a clue. There was a letter from Reggie inside it.
Tyler,
Happy birthday. I guess you're wondering what this is. I bet you wouldn't know what hair gel is since it's a muggle product. It's for fixing up your hair to make it look presentable or you could use it to shape your hair to make it look cooler or mature. I think you would need this since your hair wasn't too...human when we last saw each other. Enjoy.
ReggieIf Reggie were there then Tyler could've slapped him at the back of his head for the human comment. He liked his hair being natural but he decided that he would give this muggle gel stuff a try but later. He went on the next present, which was wrapped in silk wrapping and a little heavy. It was a potions kit complete with a mini cauldron no bigger than the owl that delivered it. There was also a leather book with a note attached. It was from Severus.
Tyler,
It was great running into you in Diagon Alley a while ago. It was nice seeing actually seeing you in the flesh and finding how much you've grown than the pictures you sent. I hope you enjoy this kit for any handy potions that you need. The book is a little potion book that I wrote on potions I would recommend that you would need or have fun with. Use them well and maybe I'll see you faster than you think that is if I qualify for next year.
SeverusTyler couldn't make out what that last comment meant was glad that Severus wrote. The next present he opened was from Matt. He sent him a book on curses with a simple note attach that said loads.
Study these in case another tournament comes through so it could be you waving the trophy.
MattBack in February, Tyler and the other second years were in a dueling tournament. The Seekers had managed to make it to the semi-finals; all of them, and then it came down to Jacke and himself. Jacke had won that match but it was still close. Jacke ended up getting a trophy that would always be in display in honor of Gryffindor House.
Matt also sent a letter along with the present.
Tyler,
You'll never guess what I heard from my father. You know that he works in the Department of Education with the school governors right? Well, he heard about whom Dumbledore picked to be the new Defense teacher. It turns out that the guy is an old fossil. Seriously, didn't Dumbledore learn his lesson about hiring fragile people for that job? I bet that when he sees what we're capable of doing he'll have a heart attack and get sent to the hospital wing or St. Mungo's. That or the curse on the job will get him like the rest. Well, I see you at Hogwarts, only 3 days away!
Matt
Tyler didn't agree with Matt's perception on their defense teacher before they had even seen him. Though, he couldn't argue with the so-called jinx on the job...though, it was because of Tyler that the two previous defense teachers had been made to leave the school.
Tyler then went to the package with the tag saying "From Regulus". Inside the package was a birthday cake. On it, there were glazed broomsticks, snitches and the Slytherin Serpent Emblem. There was a note there also but it had been hit with some frosting probably done during the owl delivery. After he wiped it off he read it.
Tyler,
Well, first I want to say Happy 13th Birthday! Also, my owl results came about more than a week ago. I wanted to wait and give you the good news when you already were happy. I got 7 OWLS. They were in DADA, Charms, Transfiguration and got one in Potions in the Practical session. For my career, I was thinking about going into a job at the Ministry. I believe that the legendary Department of Mysteries would be a good choice. I heard there are some of the biggest secrets of the government hidden there. Also, I have something to tell you but I'll leave it until school when I see you and Matt. Not Morgan though, it's a personal thing between the three of us and I don't want to say it in the letter in case it gets intercepted or something. Well, I can't wait to see you. ONLY 2 DAYS!
RegulusWhen Tyler finished reading the letter, he felt a little uncomfortable. The phrase "in case this letter is intercepted" is what Severus had wrote when he had been recruited in the circle of the Death Eaters. Tyler also remembered when Regulus talked about his parents and how they were all for the Death Eaters and his cousin eliminating muggleborns and his other philosophies. Tyler couldn't have both Severus and Regulus into this. They were both like big brothers to Tyler. Severus looked out for him in his first year but Regulus was still there with him and closer to his age, always had been giving him guidance, advice and helping him get through the hard times. If it hadn't been for him then he probably wouldn't have stayed friends with Jacke, Reggie and Brad and the Seekers wouldn't have formed.
Or maybe Tyler was overreacting. Regulus did write saying that it was between him and Matt. He didn't want Morgan to hear this so maybe it was just a guy thing.
'I just hope that's all what it is,' Tyler thought hopefully.
Tyler just went on to open his last two presents, which he deduced were from Brad and Jacke. He went to open Brad's first saving his bestest mate's present for last. Brad hadn't sent him a letter like the others but his present was enough in Tyler's mind. Brad sent him a bunch of muggle pictures of himself playing soccer and martial arts and doing other things. In the pile of pictures, a small note came out of them in Brad's handwriting.
You wanted to know what muggles do during the summer, well here's what I do at least.
Tyler thought the pictures were weird. They didn't move at all, the figures were so completely still. It blew his mind while in a muggle's mind; it would be a regular sight in their lives. Jacke then turned to his last present from Jacke, which was wrapped in Gryffindor colors, which Tyler couldn't help but shake his head in laughter about. Inside was a neck chain with a lion's head on it. It had it mouth opened like it was roaring and it was made from gold. Tyler took it in his hand and then went to Jacke's note.
Hey Tyler,
Happy Birthday. I got you this chain so you could always carry a piece of me with you. I'm a Gryffindor so a symbol of me and my house will always be with you to remember me wherever you go. I have another just like it around my neck too. I hope you like it. Also, thanks again for the wand, it feels and looks great. I can't wait for when we go to school to use it. I still wonder how you got the wand maker to find one so...fitting. Also, I'm hoping that the new teacher will introduce us to more dueling. I want to have another duel against you and I'm betting a thousand galleons that you're brewing up the urge to have a rematch. I just hope you're going to be better because you could bet that I'll be. Happy Birthday Tyler Slytherin the Slytherin Seeker.
JackeTyler had a deep smile at the end of this letter. He never had any trouble of knowing why Jacke was his greatest friend. It was because he was so fun and loved to challenge him. They were each other's greatest rivals and bestest friends at the same time. Tyler looked at the chain that Jacke sent him. He unhooked the clasp but didn't put it on...yet. He went to his arm and took off the bracelet with the big silver snake key to the "Deep Level" off. He took the key from it and put it on the chain so the snake and the lion were together and then put it on. It seemed weird at first wearing something so Gryffindor with something Slytherin but Tyler liked it since he knew what it meant. Tyler then got an idea. He went to the desk near his bed and went into the top drawer to take out the silver snake figure that his grandparents gave him the Christmas of his first year. He then took a quill and some parchment.
Jacke,
Thanks so much for the present. I...it really means a lot to me. You said that you had a lion chain just like the one you sent me well here's something for that. It's a snake charm to put on your chain with it. I put a similar one like it on the chain together with the lion. This way, while I have a piece of Gryffindor and you, you'll have a piece of Slytherin and me along with you. You could have this to remind you of our friendship no matter where you are. Also, I am looking forward to a rematch with you. I have two loses to make up for. Don't think you'll be ahead of me yet. Lastly, thanks for using my last name there, Jacke Walker the Gryffindor Seeker.
TylerTyler then took the letter and sent it off with the Walker's family owl and then sent off the rest so they could return to their homes. Tyler's stomach grumbled so he took Chaos in his arms and then went down to the dining room to get something to eat. When he got to the dining room he saw a plate with eggs, bacon, and toast and ice tea ready there with a card that had his name on it. The card said to look to the right and there he saw his parents with Pandy and Yenze the House elf and they yelled "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
Tyler ran and gave each of them a hug, except Yenze and Pandy; he gave them good rubs on the head, which they both liked. Tyler noticed that his grandparents weren't there.
"Dad, Mom, where are Grandma and Grandpa?"
"Oh they couldn't make it today Tyler but they sent you this letter and package that they delivered with Pandemona," his mother said.
"Oh, well that's too bad. I was really hoping to see them again."
"Don't worry, you will," his dad said comforting Tyler.
The package they sent had a new winter blue cloak and a letter saying that they were sorry that they couldn't make it since they were busy at the moment.
His parents gave Tyler a new smaller wizard camera and his signed permission slip for going into Hogsmeade.
Jacke was at his house working on a model of a lion. He had started to get into making models during the long and boring summer and he was getting quite good. Whenever he was finished then he would ask his mom or dad to charm them so they could move. He was starting to paint it when his family owl flew into his room.
"Hey, what you got there?"
He found a silver snake figure and saw that it was from Tyler. He took the letter and began reading it. It was from Tyler. He read about how Tyler loved his present and how he took a silver snake like this one and placed it with the lion charm. Jacke took off his chain and unhooked the clasp. He placed the silver snake on the chain and put it right next to his lion charm. It felt weird to see these two things together but smiled on what it represented-his friendship with Tyler. He also laughed at the ending of the letter about the future rematch they would have and how he used Tyler's real last name.
September 1st had arrived and Tyler was getting everything ready. He put on his school robes and took his trunk and Pandy's cage downstairs to meet with his father and use a portkey to get to Platform 9 and ¾.
His dad had the usual candlestick ready and as usual, Chaos was asking to not be put into the trunk. Tyler used the usual trick to charm him a pink bow and he reluctantly slithered into the trunk. But Tyler promised him that he could come out when he was in the compartment with his fellow seekers.
"Why would it be okay to let Chaos out with...what again?"
Oops, he goofed. He made the promise to Chaos right in front of his father.
"Oh, Chaos had accidentally come out of the trunk to early one time and my friends Jacke, Reggie and Brad saw him. Don't worry; they think he's just a normal pet. And the Seekers are what we call ourselves, that's it."
His father gave him a piercing look and Tyler looked down to close his trunk.
"All right son, get ready and touch the portkey so we could go." They put their hands on the portkey and waited. "Okay, 3,2,1."
They felt the familiar tug in one direction and found themselves on the familiar setting of Platform 9 and ¾. The scarlet train with the words Hogwarts Express, gleamed on the platform and had people already inside getting ready to go back to Hogwarts. Tyler started to walk over to it but his dad stopped him.
"Tyler, be careful in Hogsmeade. If anything happens then use the floo powder that I gave you and let me know if anything happens."
"Yes dad I know. It's been three years already, don't you think I can handle myself?"
"You're right. It's just that I worry about you, it's my job to do that you know."
"Yes dad...I know. Don't worry. I give you my Slytherin oath that I'll be okay."
"Alright, go on and have a good term."
"Bye dad."
Tyler took his trunk and went for the last compartment in the train as always. He was the first one there so he put his trunk away. He opened it before he put it away and took Chaos out and let him wrap around his lap and snooze in the fresh air.
"Lazy snake," Tyler said shaking his at the sight of his snoozing snake.
He didn't have to sit in silence long because soon a familiar looking redhead stepped into the compartment wearing Gryffindor robes.
"Hey Tyler!"
"Jacke!"
Tyler set Chaos down and went to hug his friend.
"Tyler,"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for the pendant."
Jacke took out the chain and Tyler saw the snake pendant he sent with a familiar looking gold lion like Jacke had sent him.
"You know, that's a traditional silver snake that a Slytherin family member gets when they start their first school year. I wanted you to have it."
"Wow...I'll take good care of it for you.
"No problem, it's yours. Thanks for the chain," Tyler said back taking his out.
Jacke saw the lion with a snake like his but saw that the bottom of the snake looked a little like a key design.
"Tyler, is that a key?"
"Oh...well yeah it is. Tell you what, when Reggie and Brad get here then I'll explain it to you guys."
"Why not just explain it to me. It couldn't be that big could it?"
"...Okay. You remember how I told you about how I got those transformation things at home?" Jacke nodded so Tyler continued. "Well, the chamber where the books were is protected with a magical door that is hard to crack open without one of these keys. Every Slytherin family member gets one when they at the age of eleven. I got mine on the Christmas of our first year right before I got the book on becoming elementals. But I did sneak into there without my parents' permission so I can't let them know anything about that. That's all there is to it."
"Oh, my lips are jinxed and sealed," Jacke said taking his wand and tracing his mouth.
"Good, they better be or I might have to jinx them."
"You could try," Jacke said with humor and challenge. "Is that Chaos," he said pointing to the sleeping green snake.
"Yeah, he hates being cooped up in my trunk. Complains that it gets stuffy. So, I agreed that he could be in the fresh air on the ride to school, if you don't mind that is."
"No...I think he seems quite nice. Doesn't look threatening when he's sleeping."
"Yeah I know, he likes just being lazy and snoozing about."
Reggie and Brad came in later and Tyler and Jacke helped put away their trunks after they hugged them hello. They sat down while the train had taken off and headed for Hogwarts. Soon the pushcart woman came and they ordered some food and juice to have and Reggie began the topic of Hogsmeade.
"Seriously, an all wizard village. I can't wait to visit all the shops there. Also, the legendary Shrieking Shack said to have the roughest ghosts around. The Grey Lady told me that none of the ghosts in Hogwarts dare to go there."
"I want to get into Honeydukes. I've always wanted to try Fizzing Whizbees," Jacke said with a look of hunger.
"They taste good," Tyler said to Jacke's comment.
"How do you know that?"
"Oh, Regulus always went and got things for Matt and I whenever he went to Hogsmeade but we always had to pay for the stuff we wanted."
"Well, I just want to see how it looks. I've never seen an entire wizard village before. All I've seen is Diagon Alley and that's just a wizard shopping center," Brad said excited.
"Don't worry. It'll be great."
"So...do you have any hopes for this year's defense teacher," Brad said looking cautiously at Tyler since he knew full well their encounter with their previous one.
"As long as he wasn't an ex-league member who captured a family member and tries to pass me off as a hunting trophy then I'm okay," Tyler joked.
"Same here," the other 3 seekers said simultaneously.
"Well, I did hear something from Matt. He heard that the defense teacher is an old guy but that's all. Guess that's not much to go on."
"Well, if he's a good teacher or not, we'll already be working on something right?"
"Er...wrong," said Tyler bringing a disappointed frown to Jacke's face. "I didn't find anything big from home this time. Even if I did," he said quickly, "where are we going to train? We lost our training cave remember?"
"Oh right," Jacke said.
"So, should we find a new place?" Brad asked.
"Well, we wouldn't know where to start. Well, maybe it's an omen. We should try to have a normal year."
"Normal?" Jacke, Tyler and Brad asked like Reggie was crazy.
"Reggie, we're the Seekers. We look for new challenges and overcome them together," Jacke said.
"Yeah, and also, we are from different houses. It's not like we can have a normal year together even if we tried."
"Hey guys, why don't we have another gimmick for our group?" asked Brad.
"What's a gimmick?" asked Jacke and Tyler.
"Muggle thing," said Reggie. Reggie and Brad had more knowledge on muggle things than they did, though Brad had a lot more than Reggie did.
"It's a creative thing that we use to make our group more unique. Why don't we have our own slogan?"
"Why do I feel you put a lot of thought into this?" Jacke said looking at Brad strangely.
"Well...I kind of did. I thought up a saying that I think would fit our group and our name perfectly."
"What?!" the three of his friends asked.
"Well here it is. "The Seekers: We always find a way," Do you guys like it?"
Jacke, Reggie and Tyler thought for a moment on the slogan and gave their honest opinions.
"I think it's perfect," Reggie said.
"I like it," said Tyler.
"Sounds cool," said Jacke.
"Okay then, that'll be our saying and slogan."
"I'm actually looking forward to going back and studying," Jacke said suddenly.
"Oh no, is it cold here?"
"No, why Tyler?" Reggie said seriously.
"Because I think the world is going to freeze over now. I swear I just heard Jacke said that he was actually looking forward to studying."
"Well, it has been a long and boring summer since everything's been cancelled or postponed. Not blaming you of course mate."
"Yeah...I know. I just wish the madness could stop already. If my family runs into him then maybe we could convince him otherwise."
"But I thought you said that Voldemort has no idea that he even has living relatives?" Reggie asked.
"Yeah, but still, there must be something."
"Don't bother Tyler," Jacke said patting his back. "There's no guarantee that he'll even listen to you. He might just use you to get your family powers to get stronger."
"Yeah, maybe you're right."
"Ah, enough about Voldemort we should get ourselves stretched and ready. I could see the station lights."
The train pulled up in Hogsmeade Station. The Seekers got out and saw the familiar giant figure of the groundskeeper Rubeus Hagrid leading the first years off towards the boats. They all headed for the carriages, which Tyler saw weren't horseless anymore.
There were beasts that looked like reptilian breeds of horses with scales and bat like wings. They were a dark color and had thick looking claws on their feet. Tyler looked over to Brad, Reggie and Jacke. Jacke and Brad looked as surprised as he did but Reggie didn't look intrigued at all.
"What's wrong guys?" Reggie asked.
"Those...things," Brad said pointing to the creatures. "What are they?"
Reggie looked over to where they were pointing and then looked back at them. "You all can see them?" They nodded. "You better come inside."
When they stepped into the carriage, Reggie began speaking.
"Those things you guys saw are the threshals that had been pulling the carriages."
"Those are threshals?" Tyler said unbelievably.
"Yeah."
"But...why can we see them now?" Jacke asked.
"Don't you remember what we learned about them from our first year? When we had to get its scale for the element potion."
Then Tyler remembered. Reggie had gotten the scale for the potion since he was the only one who was able to see them. He said that only someone who had seen death was able to see them.
"But we haven't seen anyone..." Tyler stopped short. They all had seen someone die. They saw when Professor Arnold, their former defense teacher, was trampled by rocks and died instantly. "Professor Arnold...we saw him die, remember?"
"Yeah, so that's why we can see them now." Brad said.
"Wow, looking at them I would rather we didn't."
"Oh don't worry you guys. You'll get used to them, trust me."
They started to forget the threshals when they saw the tall castle of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where their third year was about to begin.
End of Chapter 3
Whisperkey: I saw you on my list of people who have me on Author Alert and I would like to say that I'm touched that I have another reader.
Author Notes
Well, that's it for now. I hoped you all liked that chapter. The Seekers are about to begin their third year. The next chapter, you can expect the new teacher, the sorting, and Tyler discovering something extraordinary that's related to his family.
Review!