Chapter 4:
Surprised at how fast the time had flown by, the group quickly branched off into their seperate genders, to change into their school robes. Harry was just able to lock his trunk back up, when the train came to a screeching halt. Upon exiting the train, with Ron and Hermione, Harry waved to Hagrid who was once again, gathering up the first years to cross the lake by boat. Luckily, the starry sky was perfectly free of clouds, so they would not have to cross in the rain.
Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly filed into an empty carriages. Harry thought that the thestral, a winged horse type creature, pulling the carriage seemed familiar, and silently wondered if it was one of the thestrals that he had hijacked last year to get to the Department of Mysteries. But the thought disappeared as quickly as it had came, when the thestral began to pull the carriage toward the castle.
Harry and Ron began to talk about Quidditch and Hermione began to shake her head, muttering under her breath, "boys…" That was when a faint galloping sound reached their ears. It was a different kind of gallop then the ones of the thestrals. It was quicker, and stronger. They poked their heads outside to see what it was.
That was when a beautiful chestnut colored horse came into their view. It was running across the hills in the distance. Freely and happily on the green grass of the school grounds. Several girls in different carriages noticed the beast and began to talk wildly and excitedly while poking their heads out. Even Hermione was staring wide eyed at the beautiful creature. The horse quickly noticed the line of carriages and promptly ran toward them, much to the delight of the teenage girls.
It ran up beside the carriages easily keeping pace with the rather slow thestrals. People attempted to reach out and pet it. But whenever they did, the horse quickly pulled away, making some of the people nearly fall out of the carriages. The horse snorted and whinnied, obviously enjoying itself, and continued to run up alongside the long row of carriages, tossing it's mane around each time it passed one. When it reached Harry's carriage, it had grown sold bold that it actually reached its head inside and quickly stole Ron's wizard hat. Before Ron could react, the horse had made off with it, galloping just within their sight as if taunting Ron to jump out and get it. After a few choice swears, he took out his wand and yelled, "Accio hat." The hat then zoomed out of the horse's mouth and into Ron's hand, who waved it around in victory. The horse just whinnied in respite and ran off, over a hill and out of sight.
Harry's and Hermione's laughter did not die until the carriages pulled to a stop in front of the doors into Hogwarts Castle. Even Ron was sharing in on the laughter. When they finally calmed down, they all noticed that everyone was talking about the horse. Whether it was about its beautiful color, or its playful game with Ron, it was all about the horse.
"I wonder where it came from."
"Maybe, Hagrid got over the holidays."
"Well if he did, then we might want to be careful. It might be able to breath fire."
"Did you see its wonderful mane?"
"Oh, it was so beautiful."
"So Weasley," said a jeering Malfoy, "what does it feel like, getting fooled around with by a horse."
"You better shut your trap, Malfoy, or I'll…" Ron never completed his sentence. It was just then that Professor McGonagall opened to doors right in front of the two opposing parties, who promptly stopped with the new presence of a teacher.
"Follow me students." she said, while walking briskly inside. Harry noticed that she wasn't looking all that well. She had bags under her eyes and she looked even older than usual. The war against Voldemort was not treating her well.
They followed her into the Great Hall, where the students quickly took their seats amongst their friends in their separate houses. The teachers were all there, waiting for them; Professor Dumbledore in his exuberant purple cloths, Professor Sprout in her green robes looking a little more frazzled then in past years; Professor Flitwick, still trying hard to see over the table and Professor Snape looking as vile as ever.
But among all of these familiar faces, Harry saw that two seats were still empty. One was where Hagrid would be, if he wasn't helping the first years across the lake. Another was where the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would be sitting.
"Hey, that Professor Green fellow isn't there." Ron said observantly
"Yeah, I know," Harry replied. He was curious to what this new teacher actually looked like.
"Maybe he owns that horse." hypothesized Hermione, "and had to tie it back up."
"Maybe…"but before Ron could guess, a loud chatter filled the hall as the first years finally arrived with a smiling Hagrid. Hagrid took his seat as Professor McGonagall approached the front of the hall, with a familiar stool and hat. Placing the hat on the stool, she stood back and out of the way, as the hat's brim opened wide and began to sing:
Ok, this is why I couldn't release this chapter with chapter 3. I'm terrible at songs but I'm going to take a chance anyway.
Once a long long time ago
In the land that you are in now
There lived the famed founders four
Who took a solemn vow
They promised to create a school
Where all could come to learn
And that school that they created
Was named Hogwarts in return
Several hundreds years have passed
Since that faithful day
The famed founders four
Have since then passed away
And our school still goes on
Their teachings have not gone flat
They put me here to fill their roles
I am the Sorting Hat
If you are Lord Gryffindor's
Choice of perfection
You'll be the bravest of them all
Unafraid of introspection
If you are caught by Ravenclaw
His sharp eye unmatched
You'll be among the brightest here
Your brains waiting to be matched
If you are picked by Slytherin
Whose tastes are hard to please
Then expect to be the most ambitious students
That will reach their goals with ease
And if you're chosen by Hufflepuff
Never too judgmental
You can be anyone, any person
You're kindness always monumental
For many, many, many years
The four houses have stood strong
And this is why I'm telling you
Make your bonds lifelong
For a new evil is coming
It will test our courage and cunning
Locked away for many years
It's power is beyond stunning
If we do not hold on
And stand until our lives are numb
At least until the hero unlikely
Sends him back to where he came from
Then all hope will be lost
The evils will become one
The world will fall into despair
And all that we love will be undone…
The hat fell silent and so did the rest of the room. The Sorting Hat had made predictions and warnings before. And the scary thing is; it was usually right
After a long silence, Professor Dumbledore suddenly cleared his throat; signaling to Professor McGonagall to proceed with the sorting. Professor McGonagall only slightly hesitated before telling the first years the rules of the sorting. And then--as if the Sorting Hat's little speech had never happened--she began calling out their names.
One by one, the little first years stepped up to the stool and cautiously put the hat on, as if it was going to bite their head off. And one by one, the hat put the first years into the four houses. Each time a house was called, the respective table cheered happily, forgetting for the moment the hat's grave warning.
After everyone was sorted, Professor Dumbledore stood up announced, "Welcome old and new to another year at Hogwarts. I would make a speech, but now is hardly the time for one. So without further hesitation...Dig in!" Upon command, piles of food appeared on the table
"Harry, it's just like last year." said Ron in between mouthfuls of roasted chicken
"Yeah, I know. The hat gave another warning. But why would it do it again? Everyone already knows that Voldemort is back," replied Harry as he began devouring some mashed potatoes. Several people around him flinched from his statement.
"Maybe it's to warn the first years to stick together."
"No, it was meant for the entire school." interrupted Hermione.
"But we already got the message, last year." argued Ron.
"No we didn't. Didn't you hear? It said a "new" evil is coming, implying someone different from you-know-who."
"I think you're reading a little too much into it." said Ron. Hermione was about to reply, but couldn't because Professor Dumbledore had just started his speech.
"Welcome once again, to Hogwarts. And as always we will begin with a few start-of-term notices." said the Professor as he smiled at all the new students. "First off, I would like all first years and some repeated offenders to know that the forest at the edge of the school grounds is still strictly out-of-bounds." (Harry, Ron, and Hermione grinned as Dumbledore said this) "The caretaker, Mr. Filch would also like to remind everyone that magic is strictly forbidden in the corridors along with a few other things. The entire 324 page list is available for pick-up in his office, if anybody wants to see if they are misbehaving."
"We've also had a slight change in staff over the holidays. But unfortunately, he is not…oh, never mind. He seems to be entering as we speak."
Everybody turned around to see the new teacher who was just entering the room. Several girls let out muffled squeals of delight.
A very handsome young man stood in the entryway. He was lean and stood somewhere around 6 feet. He had brilliantly blue eyes along with long blond hair that was fashioned into a small pony tail in the back (I'm basing this aspect of Link's appearance off of the hard-to-find Zelda manga. He still has those bangs that hang down in front, but he has a small pony tail, which we never get to see because of his hat. But since he has no hat here, his pony tail is exposed). His face was strong and slender with a perfectly crafted nose and a strong chin. He wore leather boots, that showed years of wear and tear in their creases, but the large green robe that he wore didn't have a spot of dirt.
"Please welcome, Professor Green, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." The crowd applauded generously (although most of it came from the female part) as he walked cautiously up to the teacher's table. He took a seat quickly and looked at Professor Dumbledore, signaling to proceed.
"I'm sure his stay will be greatly welcomed. Now, Quidditch tryouts will be held in September. Contact your Quidditch Team Captain for specific dates. You will receive your class schedules in the morning. Now, you may go off to bed. And please remember that tired brains will also not be permitted in the corridors, so be sure to get some rest. You are hereby dismissed.
The students got up and made their way back to their dormitories, most of them talking about the new teacher, Professor Green.
"Omigosh, did you see his eyes?!"
"His hair was wicked sweet man. I think I'm going to grow a ponytail."
"Professor 'Green'? Did he make that up or just got those robes as a joke?"
"When do you think were going to have Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
"How old do you think he is?"
And there was also the constant giggling of girls, traveling in close knit groups, whispering frantically. Harry and Ron managed to break free of the crowd but they seemed to have lost Hermione in the process. Not worrying too much, they took a quick shortcut up to the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"Password?"
"Octorocks" replied Ron, having been given the password by Professor McGonagall before they had left the great hall. They entered the roomy Gryffindor common room and made their way to their dormitories and waited patiently for their friends to arrive.
"So what do you think of the new teacher?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, looks sorta like a pretty boy to me. What kind of self-respecting man has a pony tail?"
"Doesn't one of your brothers have a pony tail?"
"Oh, that's right…Well anyway, didn't Moody say that Dumbledore was unimpressed with him."
"Yeah."
"Then will wait till we see him in action. Although, I still bet we could take him on ourselves."
"Hahaha. Yeah. That guy's face didn't have a scratch on it, while Mad eye Moody has tons. Most likely, he's just finished training to be an Auror. He probably hasn't faced Lord Voldemort even once. " joked Harry. Ron flinched. "Oh come on, Ron! You gotta start saying his name or else you'll be scared of him forever."
"Yeah. You're right. I've just been brought up that way…to fear his name and all."
"Well it's time to stand up to him Ron. You know that he is no longer a weakened little specter. He's a full fledged wizard intent on killing anyone who associated with Muggles."
"I know. I know." Ron said. A long pause came afterward.
"Hey, Harry?…Do you think that Hermione's right?"
"About what?"
"About what the hat meant by, a "new" evil?"
"I hope not Ron. I really hope she isn't…"
Meanwhile, somewhere in the deep dark recesses of a world not of our own, in the cold dark palace of the night, a man with flaming red hair, greenish skin and desert clothing, grips a small jewel while grinning menacingly. Around him swarms an army of darkness, ready to carry out his orders at any time. In front of him stands a man clothed in black, whose nostrils are those of a snake and whose pale hands grip a slender wand. The two shake hands and the man clothed in black retreats to his own domain. The green skinned man continues to grins while he looks out into the night, thinking about the boy and the girl who sealed him to this wretched world many years ago.
"One down. And one has yet to show. But I will be patient. I can wait just a bit longer. Prepare yourself, Link. You're life and all of Hyrule shall be mine."
x.x.x.x.x.x. End of Chapter 4 x.x.x.x.x.x.
Sorry about the delay. Been kinda busy. I also seemed to have lost a few reviewers, which makes me sad. Well I guess I'll just fill this empty space with an advertisement for one of my other stories.
"Aven Star" on Fiction Press dot com (for some reason I can't write we addresses here) Tom was born without any wings. And because of that, he was thrown into the gutters of Angel society. But with his best friend, Kor, Tom plans to surpass his winged brethren. In doing so, he will meet the fair princess, Silouna, and embark on a quest that will ultimatly decide the fate of the world of Arcadia.
Okay now I'll respond to the two people who actually reviewed the last chapter.
CrypticElf: Navi will one day join my side. Just you wait….
Odd person: I'm glad you like it.
