Life's Many Challenges

Chapter 3 - Nightmares and challenges

Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry loomed in front of the students, both new and old. First years looked up at the antique castle and was shaken head to foot, their respect for the building was almost tangible except for those few.

"Horrid looking place isn't it?"

Harry and Ron looked over their shoulders at a boy with blonde hair and a scoul that was ment to be frightening.

"I think it's marvelous." Harry said looking the boy in the eye, it was Draco Malfoy.

"Oh do you Potter? You and your godfather must have the same empty-mindedness. Believing in this place. My father wants to get Dumbledore fired from here, he does nothing but get in the way."

Before Harry could respond a tall man with a large lantern called out, "Firs' years this way."

Harry, Ron, and two other people they didn't know got into a boat and headed for the castle.

"Hi." Harry said to a boy who looked slightly scared. "Nice frog, my name is Harry Potter."

The boy looked up at him and tightened his grip on the frog in his hands.

"Neville Longbottom." He said and cleared his throat. "This is my toad Trevor."

Harry nodded and continued a conversation with the boy about what house he wanted to be in and what his family was like. Ron, was talking with a girl with brown hair and the conversation was heating up.

"I am not incomptant or whatever you said!"

"Well I know much more about this school and you have lived your whole life knowing you're a wizard. Now that is not my fault that I find it fascinating." The girl said matter-of-factily.

"You're just a know it all show off! I'm sure I could know and do things a lot better than you if I tryed." Ron said and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Whatever."

Harry caught the last part of the conversation and learnt later that the girls name was Hermione Granger and she came from a muggle family.

As the small boats stopped Harry walked up the familiar steps and waited outside the great hall with the rest of his classmates.

"Potter."

Harry rolled his eyes as he realized it was Draco's lazy voice coming from somewhere next to him. "What do you want Malfoy?"

"I decided it would be in my best interest if I were to give you a hand. I mean, you have only been in the wizarding world for a year and I want to give you a hand up. Some wizarding families are better than others, and I can help you there." The boy said and held out his hand to Harry.

"I think I decide which families are better for myself thanks."

Draco scowled at Harry then shot a sharp look at Ron.

"Don't worry about him." Harry told Ron. "Sirius says there not worth it."

The red headed boy nodded and fixed his robes as Professor McGonagall came through the doors.

"Welcome to Hogwarts." She said and looked around, stopping at Harry for a few extra moments. "In a few minutes you will pass through these doors and get sorted into your respective house."

Harry looked around the crowd and saw everyone doing the same.

"Now, good luck students and I shall see you for the first day of classes."

The large doors opened and Harry found himself gaping at the Hall he had been in many times before. Students congested the eating area and he found Dumbledore sitting at the teachers table along with Professor Snape. The others he didn't recognise. Falling in step with the rest of his classmates Harry stood facing the teachers and McGonagall started to read the names.

"Susan Bones."

All the names rattled off and too soon Harry heard his name called.

"Harry Potter."

Everyone watched as Harry went to sit on the stool. Dumbledore even leaned closer.

The hat was placed on his head and Harry heard a voice speaking to him.

"Hmmm, Harry Potter. Where to put you?"

'Not Slytherin.' Harry thought to himslef.

"Not Slytherin? Why not? You could be great, and Slytherin could help you. No? Disappointment I see, not from yourself, but from another. You are very loyal, and brave, oh yes. Well if not Slytherin better be.

Gryffindor!"

Harry relaxed physically and headed to the table that alrady held Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. The school waited while the rest of the first years were sorted and Ron was in Gryffindor along with his brothers.

The rest of the night went smoothly and Harry was quite content with the food that filled his stomach and made him drowsy.

Dumbledore stood up and said a few words before sending everyone off to bed.

"Gryffindors follow me." Percy Weasley said and the first years (after a maze of halls and moving staircases) found themselves in the Gryffindor common room.

)-(

Sirius sat outside looking up at the sky. Harry was gone off to school and he wouldn't be able to see his godson until the holidays. He hoped Harry was making the right friends and he prayed to Merlin that his little boy was placed in Gryffindor.

Pyrgus flew around his head before landing softly on Sirius's shoulder.

"Hi boy." He said and patted the owl before digging in his pockets and retrieving a snack. "You best be on your best behaviour for that."

The owl whooted and flew off into the night. Sirius stayed outside watching the sky and hoping to see the outline of that very expensive white owl.

)-(

That night Harry sat in his bed which was next to Ron's.

"What's the matter mate?"

"I don't know, I just have this feeling I forgot something."

Ron started to rattle off some necessities and when Harry shook his head at all of them he gave up. "Well, if you ever think of it you could always write to your godfather."

"That's it! I forgot to write Sirius." Harry said and searched for his quill and a piece of parchment.

"Just write him in the morning Harry. He's probably asleep anyway."

Harry agreed and layed down. He was asleep within minutes.

)-(

Ron couldn't have been more wrong. Sirius was awake and when he didn't see Hedwig he tried not to let his anxiety take over.

"He's probably just busy, or maybe he's sleeping, he had a long day after all."

"That's it dear."

Sirius looked up to a picture of his aunt and tryed to smile. Finding no comfort in the photograph he went upstairs to bed.

Diagon Alley was full of people like always and Sirius had a firm grip on Harry's hand.

"Sirius Black, how are you?"

Sirius turned to see Lucius Malfoy. "Lucius, I've been better."

The other man looked down at a young Harry and smiled, almost genuine. "That godson of yours is going to be quite a player in this war Black."

Sirius was about to reply when he felt Harry sqirming in his grasp.

"My ball E."

Sirius saw the little green ball not far away and nodded once before letting go of the little boy's hand.

"Is this what you came to tell me about Malfoy." He said but when he turned to face the man he was gone.

"DEATH EATERS!"

Those two words brought caos to the street and Sirius looked for Harry, the little ball was still there but Harry had vanished.

"Harry! Where are you?"

"Looking for someone Black?"

Sirius turned around and saw Victor Maron holding his godson.

"Let him go!"

"Beg for his life."


Sirius did as he was told and everyone watched as the fearless aurer got on his hands and knees and begged for Harry's life.

"Please. Please don't hurt him. I'll do anything you want."

"I'm sorry Mr.Black, there is nothing you can do." And with that said the large man snapped the toddlers neck with a sickening sound.

"NO!" Sirius screamed, tears pouring from his eyes.

'It was just a dream, it was just a dream.' He kept telling himself. The sun was still down and he looked around his room. Harry was safe in Hogwarts and nothing could happen to him there.

TBC

Thank you for all the reviews, I love reviews. Sorry this hasn't been updated for like a month, but my Harry Potter addiction is coming back full speed right now for some reason.