10. Night of Feasts and Fears
The train slowed considerably as the lights of Hogsmade appeared in the distance. The small town twinkled like stars in the darkness of the evening. Amelia and Hermione came back dressed in their new school robes to find the compartment very silent. The boys had also changed into their school uniforms but didn't speak to each other or to anyone entering the compartment. The silence was like the grave until Harry finally spoke.
"Wow Amelia, you look great in your Gryffindor robes," Harry smiled and tried to break the awkward silence that had developed between everyone, "not many people make them look as good as you do! Ever think of modeling after school is finished. I am sure the daily profit could use you!"
"Awe stop, you are making me blush! But thank you Harry," Amelia turning, " I never thought of modeling before." she giggled, "These robes are considerably lighter than our old ones wouldn't you say Dominic?" She smiled as she sat down beside her brother. Both twins filled out the wizarding robes of the school quite well. Amelia's Long hair sat lightly on her shoulders as her reds and gold of her hair and the red in her Gryffindor patch shined. Dominic sat tall and proud in his uniform. His stern face and bright eyes seemed to case a silent spell on the darkness that he watched so deeply. He shrugged at his sisters question and continued to look out the window into the darkness seemingly in deep thought.
"I still feel like I am wearing a dress," he said without even looking at his sister.
"Dominic, I think we should have a little talk," Amelia said as she looked at him desperately after several minutes.
"Reading my mind again Amelia?" Dominic asked as he stared out the window, "at least trying too."
"Come on, lets go for a walk," Amelia sighed, "we should be acting like this its childish."
"We'll be in Hogsmade in a few minutes why waist time?" Dominic asked, "you know what you are looking for find it," he said angrily.
"Dominic this isn't funny!" Amelia said, becoming angry, "I just want to know what's wrong. Why are you so angry with me?"
Dominic shot her a glare that could have cast the wickedest spells imaginable and Amelia's face became white as a ghost. Tears ran slowly down her cheeks she stared at her brother with incredible pain in her eyes.
"Amelia what's wrong?" Hermione asked trying to calm Amelia down.
"Sometimes I really wish that Dominic and I weren't twins," Amelia sobbed and ran from the compartment.
Dominic tensed up, clenching his fists and grinding his teeth. His face too when whiter than snow before he stood and ran out of the compartment after his sister.
"That was the weirdest thing I have ever seen," Hermione said as she looked at Harry, "and I'm a muggle born witch, you would think that little surprise would have been the weirdest thing for me but no Dominic and Amelia are weird!"
"Its gotta be a brother and sister thing," Harry sighed, "I just wish I could read them better."
"If you would have worked harder at your occlumency you could find out!" Hermione stated.
"Hey I am pretty good at it now Hermione," Harry said feeling as though Hermione was trying to insult him, "for your information I couldn't get through either of them and you know they had Occlumency mastered when they were little!"
"And you could have had it by now," Hermione said, "if you had practiced."
"I have been practicing with Amelia and Dominic. But still they are both too strong for me to crack," Harry said, "but I'm getting better. It's getting harder for them to get to me too!" he said proudly.
"Well you are still going to have to work at it. Voldemort will probably be just as good if not better than Amelia and Dominic. So you really have to work. I'm not saying it isn't good practice with the twins, it's probably better for you with them that it is with Snape because they are your friends and don't judge you like he does, but still you have to be careful Harry very, very careful," Hermione said with a frown, "we know you can do it Harry."
"I know I should try harder, and I know I can do it," Harry frowned, "I really did try just now but I backed off. I didn't really want to intrude," Harry said, "I mean if they went through the hassle of putting up that wall then I figured that they really didn't want it to be known."
The train slowed to a stop at the Hogsmade station. The lights on the platform were bright in there eyes as the students arrived. Hagrid was waiting at the far corner already calling the first years too him. Harry and Hermione didn't see either of the twins or Ron till they got off the train at station. They walked themselves to the edge of the platform and waited for the rest of the instruction as they continued to scan the passenger that were coming off the train for their friends. Ron finally found them running up looking exhausted and upset.
"Well that was the worst train ride ever," He sighed as he hid behind Hermione and Harry, "please don't let Luna see me. She grabbed me on the train and made me sit with her. She talked the whole time about her vacation this summer in the arctic and chasing weird snow creatures I have never heard of!"
"Oh Ron, I think she missed you!" Harry teased, "I rather think she has begun to fancy you. I bet she'll be your biggest fan this year when you're playing Quiddich."
"Yeah she was your biggest fan your first year," Hermione giggled, "remember?"
"That's not in the least bit funny Hermione," Ron glared as he looked down at her.
"Oh yes it is!" Hermione giggled.
"But if you were there you would have been jealous admit it," Ron said getting closer and closer to Hermione.
"I would not!" She giggled, "a little friendly competition is always good!"
"Woah stop the truck!" Harry yelled as he looked at his two friends, "competition?"
"We didn't know when to tell you Harry," Hermione smiled as she blushed.
"Yeah, we have been kinda dating all summer," Ron said as he too went red
"Kinda dating?" Hermione said looking as him strangely.
"Dating," Ron corrected himself, "as the muggles call it!" he winked
"I was wondering when it would happen!" Harry laughed, "its about time if you ask me! You two are too cute"
"Don't you start to Harry Potter, I already got it from Malfoy and the Slytherins," Ron said as he rolled his eyes.
"Malfoy knew before Harry did?" Hermione gasped, "how is that possible?"
"He started talking trash about you again and I kinda freaked out," Ron said as he lowered his head.
"Well Dominic almost got into a fight with Malfoy already," Harry said, "and now he and Amelia are angry with each other."
"Welcome back to school," Ron sighed, "if this is any indication to how this year will be we are never going to see the quiddich pitch through the fog!"
"Don't say that Ron," Hermione said, "you have to win the Quiddich house cup this year."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched Hagrid lead the first years away to the boats and spotted Amelia and Dominic climbing into one of the black carriages together as Malfoy tried desperately to get Amelia to ride with him. The twins seemed find but Dominic glared angrily at Malfoy every time he would say a word to Amelia, and Pansy Parkinson was off with another group of Slytherin girls crying. The castle was bright and full of life again as the black carriages came up the road from Hogsmade. Light came from all the windows of the castle that were visible from the carriages. Glowing fires could be made out in the closest rooms and people wondering about could also be seen. Harry noticed that Dominic and Amelia were two of the first students to arrived, they waited on the steps as the carriage that Harry, Ron and Hermione were riding in took its turn closest to the front doors of the castle.
"Sorry about storming off earlier," Amelia said with a smile.
"It was a little twins thing we had to work out," Dominic added.
"Everything is better now," Amelia finished.
"Are you sure?" Hermione asked, "if the two of you could kill with looks I'd say both of you would be dead now!"
Amelia and Dominic laughed, "yeah I guess the Occlumency can be a bit much to witness if you know it's happening," Amelia smiled
"We never argue out loud, well not to the severity as just a while ago," Dominic added
"Its just better to not get others involved. So we do it silent to the world," Amelia finished.
"Well you had us worried for a while," Harry said, "to the point where I tried to break you!"
"And did you?" Amelia asked excitedly, "I wasn't paying attention. I was to mad at Dominic."
"No,"Harry frowned.
"It will come to you," Dominic smiled.
"Yeah don't worry about it to much Harry," Amelia said.
"Ok, so if you can break each other," Ron said excitedly, "could you break into Professor Snape's head and get us all the answers to the final exam?"
"Ronald Weasley, what on earth are you thinking?" Hermione scolded
"It was just a joke Hermione," Ron said hiding behind Amelia and Dominic, "please don't hurt me!" he said cowering
"It would be nearly impossible to crack Snape," Harry laughed, "he's been taught by Dumbledore and he taught me."
"That's completely besides the point!" Hermione said angrily.
"I know," Harry said fearfully as he too hid behind Amelia and Dominic.
"Hermione and Amelia are a force to be reckoned with!" Dominic laughed, "men beware releasing the dragon within!" he joked. Amelia shot him a serious look, "I'm sorry!" he said fearfully hiding behind Harry and Ron.
"Take your own advice!" Hermione laughed.
"They are going to rule our lives this year!" Ron said to the other two guys.
"We are so in trouble!" Dominic sighed.
"Yeah its bad enough we have McGonagall who has eyes in the back of her head now we have to deal with the Amelia and Hermione."
"Oh and you know Ginny will be in on this too!" Amelia smiled over at the boys.
"We'll just start digging our graves now!" Ron said as the other boys nodded.
"Come along everyone!" A voice said the entrance to the castle as the great oak doors opened, "the first years will be arriving shortly and the sorting will be starting in the great hall. Please hurry to your house table and settle in. We want to get started promptly," Professor McGonagall said as she looked down on returning Hogwarts students, "Amelia, Dominic just follow Hermione, she'll show you were to go." she whispered as they entered the school.
The castle was glowing with candles along the corridors leading to the dinning hall. The figures in the paintings waved and chatted with students as the entered. Peeves was already causing trouble by tipping the candles and spilling wax all over the new black robes of the students. Amelia and Dominic were stricken with awe as they walked through the majestic halls of the castle and were stopped at the entrance to the dinning hall by a ghost.
"Well hello there," the Ghost said, "I see you are Gryffindors but I don't remember you."
"Hello Sir Nicolas," Hermione smiled, "this is Amelia and Dominic Cross. They have transferred here from Canada." she said to the ghost, "Amelia, Dominic, this is Sir Nicolas. He is the Gryffindor house ghost. Very friendly gentle man."
"Hello Sir Nicolas," Amelia and Dominic smiled and continued on there way into the hall.
"Welcome to Gryffindor!" Sir Nicolas smiled as he waved them in.
In the dinning hall the ceiling was glowing with stars as gold and silver candles floated above the tables. The professors were already seated at the head of the room. Dominic and Amelia strained to see around all the students to see where there mother was sitting. She was dressed in a lovely pink dress with her black robes draped lightly over her shoulders. Her golden blonde hair glistened in the light of the candles. Her face was bright and filled with colour. She looked extremely happy. All the teacher looked happy and excited to be back with the students. All accept one who hung back at the very end of the table close to a side door. He sat silently staring blankly at the Slytherin table.
"Who is that Hermione?" Amelia whispered as she pointed in the dark teachers direction.
"That's Professor Snape," Hermione said as she watched Amelia grab Dominic's arm as they exchanged nervous looks and were silent for a few minutes, "you guys are doing the occlumency thing again aren't you?"
"He just seems so angry and dark," Amelia said with a frown.
"He only likes the students in his own house," Ron said, "he hates Gryffindors more than anything and no one really knows why. I mean it could be because of the school rivalries but he takes it a bit far. I think its mostly because he had something against Harry's parents when he was young. And the rumor that a Gryffindor broke his heart."
Amelia's face went white again as she tapped Dominic in the side.
"He teaches potions right?" Dominic frowned, "that means I am stuck in his class."
"So am I Dominic," Harry frowned, "as long as you do the work you'll get a good mark but don't think he wont try and throw you off."
Hermione led the way through the students to the Gryffindor house table and sat Amelia and Dominic down across from Harry, Ron and Neville. They introduced themselves to Neville and then there eyes began to wonder again. Up and down the tables admiring the house banners and colours. Amelia and Dominic giggled as they over heard some of the students commenting on the new teacher and how beautiful she was. It happened so suddenly that the hall went quiet as Professor McGonagall swung open the side door to the hall and led in the new first year students. She placed a three legged stool and the sorting hat in front of Professor Dumbledore and the hat came to life. It cleared it throat and began to sing in the same way it had every year that Harry had been attending the school.
Welcome, welcome new and old
I have a story to be told.
It's that of greatness far and wide,
of battles fought by our school's side.
The Slytherins will take their start,
with greatest frights to take their part.
But simple Hufflepuff with join in too,
and may surprise both me and you.
Followed close by Ravenclaw,
who may leave us all filled with awe.
And last we tell of great Gryffindor,
you must wait and see what is in store.
The greatest year to take its place,
in this year, this time and space.
For history we'll make this year,
that could bring us all both hope and fear.
In my mind I will now decide,
in which house you will reside.
And I will place you where you fit best.
Step forward now and take this test.
For soon we'll see how four is one.
In this battle to be won.
Hogwarts school will see its time.
And thus ends my simple rhyme.
The four house tables broke into great cheers and laughed as the hat grinned fondly at all the students around the room. As the cheers began to fade Professor McGonagall unrolled a long piece of parchment and began to read the names off to be sorted. The shaking, scared new students stepped forward every slowly and each took there turns sitting on the stool and having the hat placed on their heads. Cheers filled the hall after every student was sorted to their houses. When the sorting was finally finished, and the nervous first years were welcome graciously to their new houses. Professor Dumbledore stood and walked around the front of the table. The room fell silent as he looked from one house to another.
"Welcome, to all," he said his voice filling the room, "we are very lucky to once again be gathering together. In this time of trials in our world we must be thankful for the friendships and unity we have at this school. We hope this year to fill your minds with knowledge and wonder, to aid you in your journey though this time and hope that you all will help us too. Once again welcome back and let the feasting begin!"
With his words the tables were filled with food and drinks. The room became filled with the jingle of dishes and the happy chatter of the students. Amelia and Dominic were still struck with wonderment at all the activities that had just happened. They could hardly find time to eat what they had placed on the plates before them. As the night progressed Gryffindor students continued to introduce themselves to Amelia and Dominic as well as some of the other students from other houses. The teachers too seemed interested in the new students and once they had finished there dinners they too walked up and down the rows of tables and chatted lightly with all the students. It wasn't long before Amelia and Dominic had met nearly all there professors.
"Well they all seem so nice," Amelia smiled at Hermione.
"Yes," Hermione smiled, "it is odd though that we haven't been introduced to the new defense against the dark arts teacher."
"Yeah that is weird!" Dominic said, "I hope they found one, that is my primary study!"
"Me too," Harry said as he looked back at the head table, non of the teachers were left there and even Snape had disappeared.
"Well Mr. Potter, I have notice that once again you have decided to take my class," a very cold voice came from behind him.
Amelia stared fearfully at the person behind Harry.
"Yes professor Snape, it seems that I still need a final Potions class for my major study area," Harry said calmly as he turned around to look at him and stared as coldly up at the man has he stared down at Harry.
"Its not going to be easy Potter," Snape said more forcefully.
"I am prepared to put in as much work as I need to," Harry said.
"You'll need to,"Snape said as his glare changed from Harry to Dominic and Amelia, "is there a problem?" he asked.
"No Professor," Amelia said as she lowered her eyes.
"You look familiar, what is your name girl?" Snape asked again with force.
"Amelia Cross," Amelia said trying not to look at Snape.
"And you?" Snape asked turning toward Dominic, "must be Dominic Cross. I have read your records. They are impressive, but we will see how many potions you have really mastered."
"I am looking forward to it Professor Snape," Dominic said as he tried to smile.
"I'll change that after the first class," Snape said as he turned and walked away.
"Wow that was harsh!" Harry said as he looked at Amelia and Dominic, "he doesn't even know you two and he is acting like he hates you!"
"He probably does," Dominic said as he hugged his sister who looked near tears.
"Why would he hate you?" Hermione asked, "honestly he has no right he has never met you!"
"Out mother was the Gryffindor that broke his heart," Amelia whispered over the table.
Harry, Ron and Hermione were so taken by the news that they could only stare at Amelia and Dominic for what seemed like hours. Then finally after noticing that Snape had completely left the hall Ron spoke.
"Well, isn't that a lovely little confession," he said as he rubbed his forehead.
"Yeah Snape is going to be extra cranky now that Belinda is back!" Harry sighed.
"That should be for the two of them to sort out not you," Hermione said angrily, "he has no right to take this out on you!"
"Oh but he will," Harry sighed.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" A cheerful voice said from behind the twins.
"Mum!" Dominic and Amelia smiled as they stood and hugged her.
"You met Professor Snape," she said with a half smile.
"We have," Amelia frowned, "he doesn't seem very nice."
"You don't worry about it," Belinda said, "worry about classes and school work and don't take anything he says to you to heart!"
"We wont mum," Dominic smiled.
"You look so happy mum!" Amelia said finally smiling again.
"That's because I am, but I best run off and meet more of the students and you should go up to the common room I will see you in class tomorrow!" Belinda said cheerfully as she kissed both of them on the cheek and headed off to the other end of the table.
"Well it looks like it might be a good year for her at least," Ron sighed.
"We'll be fine Ron," Amelia smiled, "as soon as we get some rest!"
"Good idea!" Hermione smiled and started to lead the way out of the dinning hall and up to the Gryffindor common room.