Chapter Nine: Hogwarts
Warning(s): teeny bit of slash
"Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts." Albus Dumbledore said, looking over his students. Most of them, with the exception of Ron Weasley who was grumbling about food, were watching him as well.
"As you all noticed, Harry Potter is no longer with us. Fear not! He isn't dead, he is in hiding." Several people sighed. "Before we get on with our feast, I have one more student to sort and one more announcement to make. Dark, if you may?"
"Sure thing sir." Dark said, strolling in to sit on the stool. Girls around the hall gasped in delight and Dark smirked. McGonagall dropped the hat on his head and he was startled when a voice spoke.
"Dark Mousy. I wondered if I'd ever see one of your kind." Dark smirked. "It is almost impossible to sort you. You have the qualities of all the houses." Dark nodded and the hat suddenly shouted to the hall. "I CANNOT SORT HIM!"
"What?" McGonagall shrieked. The hat stayed silent and Albus stood.
"I guess that means he will not have a house. And so, he is allowed to stay wherever he wants. If he gains or looses points in a class, both houses in the class will gain or lose than number. Outside of class, he can only be given a detention."
"Thanks sir." Dark said, handing the hat to a still shocked McGonagall.
"My pleasure Dark, now take a seat somewhere." Dark, ignoring the furious gaze of Draco/Krad, took a seat at the Gryffindor table. "Now that that's over with, I have one more thing to say to you all. The Dark Lord Voldemort's forces are growing. It is possible that he has returned, so I want all of you to obey the new rules posted in your common rooms. Now, lets begin the feast!"
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"Did you see Malfoy's face?" Ron asked when they were comfortably arranged in the Room of Requirement. Dark stretched happily and nodded.
"I hope he doesn't give us any trouble." Hermione said. "We can't have the two of you fighting."
"He'll be staying far away from me, if he can. He doesn't want his "problem" to be made known public." Dark smirked. "Krad doesn't want it either. Despite first appearances, he doesn't like publicity."
"I guess he hates you more then if he showed himself in the Alley." Ron stated. Dark made a face. "Do you even know why you hate each other?"
"Uhm…." Dark blinked. "No?"
"Oh! You boys can be soooo immature!" Hermione grumbled. "I mean honestly, how can you hate him if you don't remember why?"
"Hey! I don't go attacking him, he attacks me!" Dark said, waving his hands. "I sure as hell don't remember why he hates me, but maybe he does." Hermione huffed at Dark, who crossed his arms.
"So you only fight back because…?"
"Maybe…he'll kill me if I don't!" With nodded in agreement. Dark scratched his forehead with a sigh. "Hey, if you can get him to lay off, I won't attack."
'I'm so proud of you!' Harry said with a sniff.
'Shut up scarhead.' Dark grumbled. Hermione broke Dark out of his thoughts with a cough.
"We also need to worry about You-Know-Who."
"No, I don't know who." Dark said, making Ron snort. "Oh…..Voldemort." Hermione sighed. "What about him?"
"Apparently he's returned. You saw the look Professor Dumbledore gave us. Did either of you read the new rules?"
"I did, before we left." Dark said as Ron shook his head. "They all say the same things, just worded differently. 'Don't go out after nine, walk in twos or threes, no sneaking out, practice defense….'."
"I do hope you two will listen." Hermione pleaded.
"I need to stretch my wings every once and a while Hermione." Dark said. "And the only safe time is at night….." Hermione shook her head. "I'll get a teacher to go with me."
"Have Dumbledore." Hermione demanded.
"He's old Hermy! He needs his rest." Dark objected. "I'll ask Snape."
"What?" Ron screeched. "But he…he…"
"He's powerful, and would know how to protect little old me." Dark said. "Plus I can tease him about the grease pit on his head…."
"Dark, don't antagonize the teachers." Hermione groaned. "Hey! Did anyone tell Sirius about this?"
"Who?" Dark frowned and Ron smacked his head.
"Oh boy, we totally forgot!" Ron turned to Dark. "Sirius is Harry's godfather. He's an escaped convict who's actually innocent."
"Ahhhh….blue eyes, black hair…..hey!" Dark grinned, eyes closed. "He's quite hot!"
"DARK!"
"DARK!"
'DARK!'
TBC
