Disclaimer: Okay… last time my Disclaimer hated me, so I have to say this now. Mikey Corvin and Raliegh Sawyer do not belong to me. Nor does the poem riddle thing at the end. And in this chapter, same thing, and the sorting hat song is not mine either…

Author's Note: Okay… I haven't updated in a while, here's the next chapter. The next two after this might be a tad short…

Chapter Twenty

Return to Hogwarts

Early the next morning she woke and took her shower. Sparkie woke an hour later, yawning widely, his little pointed teeth showing. Thorn stood half clothed in her room, pulling her tank top over her head. "Finally," she said in dry wit, "Fang, Shadow, and the others have already taken off. Well hidden, and Dumbledore is personally making sure that nothing goes wrong."

Sparkie shrugged and flew to Thorn's shoulder and took her amulet out from under the black cloth. "Well, it's gonna be one heck of a time trying to get the centaurs used to our dragon friend."

Thorn shook her head, sitting down on her bed and pulling her boots on. "No, Albus also made a deal with them, cutting off a very small portion of the woods for Fang only. The others are free anywhere, the centaurs don't really mind them." Sparkie gave an 'ah' of understanding as he dove to the floor to tie the shoe that she wasn't already tying.

They packed her trunk, managing to fit all of her books in due only to a shrinking spell. They hid her invisibility cloak under everything in a rather plain looking brown paper wrap to make sure that even if someone did manage to get into it, they wouldn't think of opening the parcel. She placed the Chinese-danger detector into her robes, and closed her trunk. Sparkie clasped it shut.

She and the lizard carried it out into the front room. Or rather, Sparkie sat on top while Thorn hovered it out with a levitation spell. Once it was in the living room they went to the kitchen to have what they could call breakfast. Thorn made herself some toast while Sparkie bathed himself in bacon. Not long later Severus came in, wearing his long robes and cloaks. "This year," he said silkily, "You'll go to Maken's and then to platform nine and three-quarters. It will be easier that going strait to the station, and less dangerous."

Thorn nodded, and Sparkie sighed and hit his head with a little blue fist. "All right, when are we wanted over there?"

Severus looked at a strange clock that hung from the wall above the stove. "In about thirty minutes. Well, I must go." He took Thorn into his arms and said, "I'll see you at school." Then he apperated away.

Thorn sighed and sat down at the kitchen table, resting her chin on her laced fingers. Sparkie continued to eat bacon while they waited. Soon the clock reached nine and Thorn gathered all of her things and she and Sparkie used a portkey that Severus had left to get to the Wood's. They waited there for another hour for Maken to get out of bed, then they were off. Gary Wood drove them by way of ministry car and they reached the station half past ten. As they walked towards the platform Thorn saw a scrawny boy with messy black hair and a trunk bearing the initials 'HP.' She nodded knowingly and followed behind the others without a word.

Sparkie was much happier this time, being an invisible form on her shoulder. Midnight slept soundly in her cage atop the trunk on the trolley. Just as they reached the platform they saw Mikey Corvin and Cho Chang make their way through the portal, followed by their parents. She heard Maken mutter, "There he goes…" as he disappeared into the brick wall.

They followed him through, first Oliver, then Maken, Thorn, and the Wood parents. When they reached the other side the first thing that they saw was Cade, waving them over to where he was standing. They said their good-byes to Maken's parents as Oliver went to join Alicia Spinet and Angelina Johnson. It seemed that Katie Bell had yet to show up.

"C'mon," Cade said as they reached him. "Celestial saved us a compartment. She was the first on here!" He led them inside, Thorn and Maken carrying in their own trunks. Sparkie flew behind them somewhat, looking at all the first years.

Man, were you guys ever this small? he asked in mild surprise. They're so little!

Thorn nodded, Of course they are, Sparkie. What did you expect, really tall first years? Then she caught sight of the elven girl that she had seen in Diagon alley, whom was at least a head taller than most of the third years, nearly the height of a seventh year. I stand corrected.

Huh? Sparkie asked as he craned his neck to see what Thorn did, but the elf girl had already stepped inside of an empty compartment. I swear, Thorn, you've completely lost it!

She shrugged as she pulled her trunk into their compartment and, with Celestial's help, pushed it onto the racks above their head. Midnight was there as well. Somehow they managed to fit all four trunks, owls, and people into the cramped compartment.

"Whew!" Celestial said as she sat down after setting Kara next to Midnight. "Well, now that that's over. How was your last free night?"

Maken shrugged, "I pigged out on mom's home cooking, after all, I won't get to eat it for a while. Then I turned in early so that I could wake up on time."

"Which you still didn't do," Thorn pointed out. Maken nodded and laughed. "I just read a bit," Thorn continued, "Which isn't too surprising." They all nodded.

Cade shook his head. "Me and Melissa just hung out. Not too big for any of you." He gave Maken a threatening smile as the other Gryffindor snickered. Sparkie smiled evilly.

During most of the train journey Maken and Cade played exploding snap, while Celestial watched and Thorn read. Once Celestial and Thorn played each other in chess, seeing as the Gryffindor had a portable set. Thorn won spectacularly, making Celestial feel rather foolish for having challenged her in the first place. About halfway through the ride a young boy and girl opened the door.

"Hello," the girl said. She had bushy brown hair, and as she spoke they saw her rather large front teeth, "Pardon me for bothering you, but Neville here has lost his toad, and we're looking for him."

Maken shook his head. "No, sorry, no toads here."

"Are you sure?" the girl continued as the boy Neville whimpered in the hallway. "I mean, our compartment isn't very far from here. Maybe it slipped in without—"

"It isn't' here," Cade repeated, and then, sarcastically, he added, "And if he had been, Sparkie would have eaten him." The blue and red lizard smiled proudly.

The girl rolled her eyes and turned to the round-faced Neville. In the corridor they heard her say, "Oh, no, Neville, that boy was kidding. Whatever Sparkie is didn't eat Trevor, its okay."

Cade and Maken laughed. Celestial rolled her eyes and Thorn reopened her book. Then suddenly, they heard a bored drawl outside their compartment. "I've heard that Harry Potter is on the train, up a bit further. Let's see if Potter rightfully deserves all that fame that he has." Sparkie slid the door open slightly and slipped into the hall.

Cade turned to them. "Harry Potter? Isn't he that kid who killed, uh, You-Know-Who?" he asked rather oddly.

Thorn sighed. "Voldemort isn't dead." Celestial twitched. "But yes, generally he did. He drained him of his powers. Harry Potter is on the train, I saw him in the station."

Maken watched her curiously, "Really? I didn't… Where was he?"

"He looked rather confused, he was behind us looking at his ticket. Probably trying to figure out where in the world platform nine and three-quarters was, after all, he was raised by muggles." The others nodded. Then Sparkie returned.

That was Draco Malfoy, Lucius's son. Thorn sighed in annoyance, He was trying to get Harry Potter to be his friend. It was funny when he practically told him to bug off, though. Then that rat that the red-head had bit him! He paused, thinking, then muttered, There's something weird about that rat… She nodded, ignoring his last statement, it was probably just Sparkie's paranoia.

Not long after that they got into their school clothes, pulling the robes over their clothes. Not long after that the train slowly began to slow down and eventually stopped altogether.

They got their trunks and owls down with much difficulty and walked out into the darkness that had long since fallen. The familiar voice of Rubeus Hagrid calling for first years was heard through the excited babble. When the youngest members of the school had been taken by the half giant to the boats the remaining students were piled into coaches that were pulled by thestrals. After a moment it occurred to her that not many students could see them. She heard quite a few second years exclaim about the horseless carriages.

The thestral pulled carts soon reached the front entry to the school and the students filed out. In the front door, Peeves preceded to throw wads of paper at passer-by. Sparkie went to chase him away, but merely got struck square in the face and plummeted back into Thorn's arms. Maken laughed and the lizard growled. When they entered the great hall the four of them went to their according tables, back to back with one another. They waited for a moment before the first years began to pile in.

Leading the group was a the tall form of Minerva McGonagall. Next to her was another form, at least a head above all of the other students. Before the sorting had begun the tall, silver-blonde haired girl walked up to Albus Dumbledore and muttered something in his ear, and then pointed to her visible ears. She heard Dennin Spitz say, "Is she a new teacher? She's hot!" Thorn rolled her eyes.

Dumbledore nodded and murmured something back to her, then she went to join the first years once again. Dennin's jaw seemed to drop and Thorn smirked.

Before the first years had gotten completely down the row of tables, Mikey Corvin ran over to where Thorn, Maken, Cade and Celestial sat. "Oh, I was wonderin'…" He muttered quietly, "What year are you guys in?"

Maken turned to face him. "Second, Mikey. Why?" The first years face seemed to drop.

"Oh, I'm sorry… You gotta deal with Cho…" Celestial laughed and Thorn nodded in understanding. Then Mikey asked another question. "What house is that pink-wearing blond-haired, too-perky-for-her-own-good girl in?"

"Hufflepuff," Thorn replied silkily.

A mischievous grin set itself upon Mikey's face. "Oh man, this is gonna be a GOOD year!" Then he sped off to join the other first years. Maken and Thorn exchanged skeptical looks.

Now there was silence. The first years attention had just been brought to the old form of the Sorting Hat. Then, when the hat suddenly leapt up and went into song, many of them gasped and jumped themselves.

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks will use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none"

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall began to ring with clapping as the hat gave a dramatic bow to each of the four houses then sat perfectly still once more. McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment and stepped forward. "When I call your name," she called to the gathered first years, "You will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted. Abbot, Hannah!"

A young girl with blonde pigtails stumbled forwards and put on the hat. The rim of the cloth fell over her eyes, hiding her view of the world. She sat down and a moment later the hat called "HUFFLEPUFF!" Her house table cheered loudly and she ran to sit down, smiling. Taffy Trelawney stood up and gave her a hug.

"Bones, Susan!" Again the hat cried Hufflepuff and another young girl ran to her new house.

"Boot, Terry!" McGonagall called. The young boy ran up and pulled the hat onto his head. After a short time of silence, the hat announced him as a Ravenclaw and he ran to his cheering table.

Then another Ravenclaw, "Brocklehurst, Mandy," and after that the first new Gryffindor, "Brown, Lavender." Maken, Cade, and Celestial all gave welcome sheers as the Weasley twins cat-called. She sat at the table, a nervous yet content smile still on her face.

"Bulstrode, Millicent!" A rather large, and not pleasing to the eye, girl walked up to the stool, sat down, and became a Slytherin. Thorn gave a few claps as another student was added to her house.

Then McGonagall called up a face that she recognized. "Corvin, Mikey!" She looked behind her to see Cade crossing his fingers and chuckled. The youngster sprinted up to the hat, almost tumbled strait over, and sat on the stool. He jammed it over his eyes and it soon called, "Hufflepuff!" Cade let out a sigh of relief as Mikey sped to the Hufflepuff table and took a seat.

Not long later another Hufflepuff, "Finch-Flechley, Justin," was sorted. He sat across from Mikey, who instantly began to talk to him. Then a Hermione Granger became a Gryffindor, and the toadless boy, Longbottom, Neville, was as well. He ran off with the hat on his head and had to give it back with a rather red face.

Then Thorn sighed as Draco Malfoy was called up. No sooner than the hat had been pulled over his head had it cried "SLYTHERIN!" He smirked and then strutted to his place, that happened to be directly next to Thorn. "Well, of course, it's no surprise that I got into Slytherin, is it?" His two goons, Crabbe and Goyle laughed stupidly and Thorn rolled her eyes. Sparkie hissed in annoyance as Malfoy continued on about something or another about his father and what he had told him of the school.

The crowd of first years was now less than half as big as it had been. After a fair few were called, "Moon," whom Celestial swore she didn't know, "Nott," "Parkinson," who became another Slytherin and sat across from Malfoy, twin girls "Patil, Padama, and Patil Parvati," a Ravenclaw and a Gryffindor, and "Perks, Sally-Anne."

McGonagall then called, "Potter, Harry!" the disheveled form of Harry Potted stepped forwards nervously. Thorn figured that it didn't help that the hall had instantly broken out into whispers and pointing. She rolled her eyes as half of her table stood up to see him better. Antonette even stood on her seat. She looked back to see the other tables doing similar things and sighed. Poor kid, she thought. Sparkie had to agree.

Momentarily, Thorn felt a surge of nerves fly through her. Sparkie looked up to her as she suddenly went still. Harry Potter was feeling extremely nervous, and that feeling was passing through Thorn's own being. She had often felt such surges of strange emotion, and knew what they were, so she didn't wonder about it. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind once again, making sure that Harry's emotions didn't break through for a second time.

The hat was on for a short time, and then it let the word "GRYFFINDOR!" escape its 'mouth.' Harry took the hat off of his head with a huge smile and ran to the table. He was, by far, receiving the loudest cheer. From her odd angle, Thorn saw many people giving him handshakes and such. The Weasley twins began to chant, "We got Potter! We got Potter!"

Soon there were only four people left to be sorted. "Sawyer, Raleigh!" the tall girl with silvery hair stepped forwards. She sat on the stool and brought the hat onto her head. After a seemingly long time the hat called "RAVENCLAW!" Cho Chang and her friends cheered loudly as Raleigh went to join them.

Then "Thomas, Dean," went into Gryffindor, "Turpin, Lisa," became another Ravenclaw, and the second of the last two remaining first years, "Weasley, Ron," was called. He was a pale color, obviously hoping for the best. Then the hat called, "GRYFFINDOR!" and he ran to his house table happily.

Thorn saw all the Weasley brothers congradualte their youngest male sibling as Zabini, Blaise was made a Slytherin. McGonagall then took the Sorting Hat and the stool away.

Albus rose to his feet to look at the school. His eyes gleamed brightly as he looked to his pupils. "Welcome!" he said, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!" Many of the students laughed. "Thank you!"

He then sat down as the whole school clapped and cheered. Well, most everybody. Malfoy merely stuck his nose into the air and said something about how Dumbledore was unfit for the job. Sparkie hissed in anger and the stuck-up first year spun quickly to see whatever had made that threatening noise. Sparkie was now invisible, however.

Then the dishes on the tables filled with food. Sparkie dove onto Thorn's plate and began to throw food onto it. Draco Malfoy watched in bewilderment as Thorn's plate magically filled. "What is going on, you?" he asked her rather rudely.

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not quite sure, Mr. Malfoy, you tell me, since you obviously know a lot more about magic than any of us here." He snorted in his own way of disagreement and then leapt backwards as suddenly Sparkie's blue and red form appeared and threw a chicken leg at him.

"What is that thing!?" he asked astounded as Sparkie grabbed another drumstick.

With much effort, he slung it over his shoulder and with one little clawed hand, he gave the motion that clearly said come closer. "Bring it on!" he hissed lowly. Malfoy looked at him in fear and then turned to Crabbe and Goyle.

"C'mon, boys!" he said in a tone that portrayed him as being much more confident than he really was. "Let's show this lizard what you can do!" They never got the chance, though, for the silvery haired girl stood up and walked over to them.

"Hello," she said calmly. Her face showed no emotion, much like Thorn's, save for her eyes, which showed all the emotion to make up for what her features did not. "Excuse me, but I was wondering if we could borrow an unused goblet? We have one too less."

Thorn nodded and handed her one. While she was turning away with a thanks Sparkie saw her ears. They were pointed. "Woah…" he muttered. Then he suddenly leapt into the air and flew after her. "Are those real?" he asked himself. He landed on her shoulder, which caused her to stop, and began to tug on her ear in his invisible state. "They CAN'T be!" He placed his little back feet on her face as he pulled with all his might on her pointy ear. Then he began to flap his wings madly, trying to get her ear to come off. To anyone who didn't know what was going on the scene was quite hilarious. In fact, to those who did know what was going on it was. Raleigh's ear was bent at an odd angle, she had little imprints on her face where Sparkie's claws were, and her hair was flying madly about her head as he flapped his webbed wings.

She smiled and muttered, "Yes, they are real." Sparkie stared up at her, and, though she couldn't see him, she looked to where she suspected his face to be. He smiled weakly, released her elven ear, and flew back to Thorn.

"Oops…" he muttered as he hid himself in her robes. Thorn chuckled and looked to Raleigh, who was smiling back to her, telling her that it was okay. Thorn nodded back and the elf sat down. The Slytherin heard Sparkie begin to mutter, "How was I supposed to know that they were real…" Thorn smirked.

The feast was almost over, and the deserts soon appeared. Sparkie, getting over his embarrassment, dove onto her plate again and piled it with his favorite sweets. Thorn looked up to Harry Potter on the Gryffindor table, and, out of curiosity, she allowed an opening in her mind for his emotions only. He looked up to Severus, and she followed his gaze. Then, suddenly, pain shot through his scar, and his surprise shot through her body. She blinked quickly, closing herself once again, and turned around.

"What?" Sparkie asked as he saw the unfamiliar look on her face. She shook her head and looked up to Severus, who was talking to Quirrell. The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was different than he had been the previous year. He now was wearing a purple turban, and he was much less confident than he had been. Yet that wasn't Thorn's main concern.

That pain… she thought to herself. Only one thing could cause that kind of pain in Harry's scar… She paused and looked up towards the High Table. Severus was calmly talking to Quirrell again. What had Potter looked at? Who is so close to him that they forced that pain to go through Harry's head…? Her eyes widened at a sudden realization. I have to talk to Severus…

Sparkie licked the chocolate syrup from his body. She had kept those thoughts absolutely private, so he hadn't heard them, "I'm still hungry…" he stated as he looked around the table. With a sly grin he walked over to Malfoy's plate, took off a pastry, and began to eat it. The blonde Slytherin scowled, but at a warning from Phillis.

"Careful, Draco," she muttered, "Thorn's wicked strong. Don't mess with her, or that vile lizard of hers." He gave a disgusted look as Sparkie began to shove his food down his throat.

Then the desserts disappeared as the dinner had and Albus stood once again. The hall went instantly quiet and he cleared his throat. "Ahem—just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." He looked pointedly at Fred and George and Thorn gave a small smirk.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madame Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death." Thorn's dark eyes gained an even darker hue as another sudden realization struck her. Very few people laughed. This was making more sense by the second…

Malfoy looked around incredulously. "This is some kind of joke, right?" he asked Manuel Graham, who shrugged. "Wait till my father hears, keeping a whole section of a corridor forbidden? Nonsense!"

Thorn rolled her eyes. "Perhaps, Draco, the ones who forbade the corridor know something that you don't." He gave her a nasty look and turned back to Crabbe and Goyle, muttering something to them.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" Thorn shook her head and Sparkie dove into her pocket. Severus's face grasped a look that plainly showed his disdain as Dumbledore flicked his wand to make the words to the song float above them in a golden ribbon. "Everyone pick their favorite tune," he said, "And off we go!"

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald,

Or young with scabby knees,

Our hears could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare, and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains all rot."

As normal, almost everyone stopped and separate times. Thorn, who hadn't even sung the horrid tune, waited for the rest of the school to finish. Finally, only Fred and George were left, singing to a slow funeral march, which the Headmaster conducted. When they were done the school clapped, Albus the loudest.

He wiped a tear from his eye, "Ah, music. A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime! Off you trot!"

The Slytherin first years followed one of the prefects to the common room. Thorn received the password from another and was one of the first ones in the room. She went instantly to her dormitory and sat down on her bed, Sparkie lying on her shoulder, too stuffed to move. Then Dreara, Antonette, and Phillis came in. Phillis looked just as scrawny as before, but Antonette seemed to have gained some more weight during the summer. Dreara still looked the same. "Ah, Rose," she said in a rather hostile tone, "You didn't get eaten by a raging hippogriff this summer, then. Darn, I owe Antonette seven sickles."

Thorn smirked, "And you still don't have the looks that you desire. I guess that Phillis owes me three galleons." Dreara flicked her head to look accusingly at Phillis, making her dark brown hair fling out. The red-head held up her hands, as to say that she and Thorn had placed no such bet.

"You liar," Dreara scowled.

"That makes two of us," Thorn replied silkily. Dreara rolled her eyes and changed into her pajamas, as did the others. Thorn followed suit, and then she laid down in her bed and took out one of her new books. As she read she heard the others fall into sleep. So she set her book on the stand besides her bed, flicked out her candle, and fell into slumber.

Yet it was not an undisturbed one. Suddenly Thorn jolted up in bed, eyes snapped open. Sparkie was aroused by her sudden movement, for Thorn never dreamed, therefore never moved while she slept. Yet she had had a dream… Kind of. Harry had had a dream, that had transferred to her while they were sleeping. She remembered nothing of it, save for the fact that Quirrell's turban was involved… As had been Severus. She shook her head, ignored Sparkie's concerned questions, and laid down again. It seems… that Potter is closer to me than I thought…