Disclaimer: Guess what! I just graduated from High School! But I still don't own Harry Potter. I guess you just can't have it all.
Authors Notes: This one took a while because I had so much other crap to do. Sorry. Enjoy!
One Other Thing: My friends and I call each other 'dude' a lot but because I don't think they really use the term 'dude' in the UK I am going to use the term 'mate' because I have seen that in Harry Potter books and movies. So there!
Pastures New
Chapter 5: The Welcoming Feast
The next week pasted quickly as the rest of the staff started to arrive and began preparations for the awaiting school year. Early in the week Elizabeth met with each of the Professors to discuss whether or not they felt her attendance in their classrooms was necessary. It seemed as though there was a consensus in the negative. It was decided that the Elizabeth's time would be better spent working along side one of the staff, as Minerva had suggested before she had even arrived on the steps of Hogwarts. This idea was met with a scoff from the Potions Master who grumbled that, "Even if the girl is talented, she is still quite young and should not be given that much responsibility. Besides, who would want to have to baby-sit the child? I assure you I will not."
But his declaration was met with indignant glares from the rest of his colleges. It looked as though Elizabeth had impressed the Professor that had been seated around the Staff Room discussing the newest addition to the school. Albus and Minerva were both pleased that the rest of the staff would have gladly taken Elizabeth under their wing for the year.
"Perhaps," Albus had suggested, "it would be prudent to let Miss Parker decide. But I do believe that she had mentioned that she had excelled in both Charms and Transfiguration while studying in America. That being said; Filius, Minerva, would you be willing to take an apprentice?"
They had both agreed quickly. After speaking with Elizabeth, she had decided that, because her Transfiguration skills were a bit more advanced than her Charms work (not to mention she was already a registered Animagus), she would work with Minerva for the year.
By the end of the week she was able to easily find her way around the Castle, she knew which steps to skip over on the staircases, and she had found out that it was best to avoid Professor Strauss and his apprentice, Professor Demos, Peeves the Poltergeist, and the young Caretaker, Mr. Filtch. After she had decided her plans for the year she spent her time exploring the Castle and spent hours in the Library pouring over its dusty volumes. Elizabeth and Minerva also had some time to discuss Elizabeth's role in the classroom. She would help mostly with the younger classes, tutor those who needed help, and mark assignments. Minerva thought it was best to see how the older students responded to Elizabeth before she started to work with them. She did not tell Elizabeth all of this, but she did not want the girl to have to deal with the students she knew would not want to be taught by someone younger that them.
… … … … …
"Welcome to Hogwarts! In a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats you must be Sorted into your Houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are here your House will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points; any rule breaking and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will win the House Cup. Now wait quietly here while I see if everyone in the Great Hall is ready to begin the Sorting Ceremony."
Elizabeth stood amongst a group of nervous first years as Minerva turn and walked gracefully into the Great Hall. Although she was not exceptionally tall she stood at least a head over the students around her. As she waited along side the Deputy Headmistress when they came up the staircase she noticed a few giving her odd looks. At the moment no one was standing too close to her and no one decided to speak to her when she could hear whispers break out behind her.
Minerva came back into the Entrance Hall carrying a scroll of parchment in her hand, "We're ready for you now."
Even though Elizabeth had been in the Great Hall many times during the week she was still surprised at the change it had undertaken for the Welcoming Feast. Hundreds of candles floated about the Hall and different colored banners hung above four long tables where the rest of the student body sat. Minerva led the group of new students down the length of the Hall between the two center tables towards the High Table. She stopped when she stepped up on the raised platform and turned towards the group of students following her.
Beside her sat a stool and an ancient looking hat. Suddenly, what looked like a tare in the side along the bottom revealed itself to be a mouth and the Hat began to sing:
Welcome to Hogwarts and your first year of learning
You're here for the knowledge we know you are yearning
But before your Professors can impart their knowledge upon you
You must be Sorted into the House best suited for you
Are you a Gryffindor; strong, brave, and true
Or maybe a Ravenclaw; if knowledge and learning are important to you
Perhaps a Hufflepuff; hardworking and loyal
Or even a Slytherin; with your cunning ways you'll never toil
Just put me on and I'll decide
The perfect place for you to reside
"When I call your name, you will come forward, I will place the Sorting Hat on your head, and you will be Sorted into your Houses." Minerva cleared her throat before continuing, "Abbott, Theodore."
A young boy with a very round face cautiously made his way to the stool and sat down. A few seconds passed before the Hat exclaimed, "RAVENCLAW!"
Elizabeth noticed as five more students went to Ravenclaw, seven to Gryffindor, six became Slytherins, and nine went to Hufflepuff, that the Hat seemed to take longer deciding the placement of some students. Before she knew it she heard her name called as well, "Parker, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth squared her shoulders before climbing the three small steps up to where Minerva stood holding the Sorting Hat. On the outside she looked calm but she could feel her heart beating too fast as she tried to keep her breathing as normal as possible. She made eye contact with Minerva just before she sat down and in return the stern looking Deputy gave her a quick reassuring nod. Elizabeth carefully sat down on the stool and Minerva lowered the Hat onto her head. Before it covered her eyes, she saw the entire student body staring intently at her.
"Hello there," the Hat whispered in her ear. "Well now, I see a lot in here."
'Can you here me?' Elizabeth thought.
"Yes Child," it responded.
'Can they here you?' she asked
"No Child," the Hat chuckled. "Now lets get down to business. I see that you already have a great deal of knowledge, and still a great thirst for it. But I also see a great deal of focus, strength, and bravery; loyalty as well. Hmm. Do you have any input?"
Elizabeth honestly did not know. 'Wherever you think I should be placed, I will go without question. You know better than I would,' she replied truthfully.
"Very well then; the best place for you is… GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat yelled the last word for the entire Hall to hear. As the Hat was lifted from her head Elizabeth could hear the applause from the students and teachers. Elizabeth stepped down and joined the Gryffindor table with its red and gold banner hanging above it.
She watched as three more students joined the Gryffindor table, four became Ravenclaws, three to Slytherin, and two went to Hufflepuff. After the last student, Zimkus, Jonathan, was declared a Slytherin, Minerva removed the Sorting Hat and stool from the Great Hall.
The Hall, which had been getting louder as names and pleasantries were exchanged, silenced immediately when Albus stood with his arms outstretched as if he were embracing the entire room. "Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts. It is good to see all of your faces once again. It is also good to see more fresh and eager faces. Welcome to all of you and I hope that you will enjoy your years here. I have just a few announcements before we begin our wonderful feast. First off, I would like to introduce you all to our new Flying Instructor, Madam Hooch, whom you might remember as the Seeker from Holyhead Harpies. Also, our dear Professor Flitwick will now be teaching Charms due to Professor Hucklebee's retirement at the end of last year. Professor Andrews will be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year. And that leaves Professor Demos, who will be taking over for Professor Strauss as Potions Mistress and Head of Slytherin when he retired and at the end of the school year. Second, I would like to remind everyone that the Dark Forest is, as always, off limits to students. Third, the House Quidditch Teams will need to get ready for this season so if you are interested in playing, please check the bulletin boards in your Common Rooms for more information. Captains, be sure to speak with your Head of House to schedule your try-out and practice times. Good luck to all the House Teams and those of you who are going to try out. Last, but certainly not least, tuck-in!"
The tables suddenly filled with food and drink. Chatter broke out as everyone began to fill their plates from the steaming dishes around them. The noise level began to rise again as conversations broke out all around Elizabeth. Old friends discussed their summer adventures and homework assignment they had left to the last minute, while First Years talked about home and their families.
"Hey," said a girl a few places away. "Elizabeth, right?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"How old are you? I mean, you're not a First Year, are you?" she asked.
"No, I'm thirteen. I just transferred from a small Academy in America." Elizabeth replied.
"Oh… interesting. I'm Erica, by the way. Fifth Year."
"Nice to meet you." Elizabeth gave a small half-hearted smile.
Erica nodded with a grin before turning her attention back to her friends.
Before long the dinner trays and serving dishes disappeared and were replaced almost instantly with every kind of dessert one could imagine. Elizabeth, who had never been one to posses a large appetite, had not eaten nearly as much as everyone around her and found it hard to not feel a bit nauseated as they started to fill their plates with more food. She was happy when Albus stood once again and address the students before him.
"Now that we have all been properly fed and watered, I think it is time for bed. You all have a big day ahead of you tomorrow, so sleep well. Off you go. Goodnight."
The students slowly got to their feet and calls from Prefects could be heard all around the Hall as they called their First Years to follow them to their Dormitories. Before Elizabeth made it out of the Great Hall she nearly jumped as she turned sharply when a firm hand was placed on her shoulder. Her hand instinctively went to her wand and held it there as Minerva stood in front of her looking a bit taken aback at Elizabeth's reaction.
"Miss Parker, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. Are you alright?" Minerva asked concerned. She had not missed Elizabeth's reach for the wand that resided in the pocket of her school robes.
"Fine Professor. I'm sorry," she breathed. "Did you need to see me about something?"
"Yes, Miss Parker," Minerva nodded. "I just wanted to tell you that your things have already been taken up to Gryffindor Tower and placed in the Fourth Year girls Dormitory."
"Thank you," she replied.
"Your welcome, you better hurry and catch up with the rest of your House Mates. Sleep well Miss Parker; I'll see you in the morning." Minerva offered her a small smile.
"Good night, Professor McGonagall." Elizabeth nodded then turned to follow behind a few Seventh Year Gryffindors as they headed out of the Great Hall doors. She continued behind them as they climbed the grand staircases, passed the moving portraits, and stopped in front of a portrait of a woman in a beautiful pink gown.
"Password?" she asked.
"To Make Much of Time," said someone in the group. Elizabeth walked through the passageway and entered into a circular room with a roaring fireplace and over-stuffed armchairs and couches. She looked around quickly before she saw a group of First Year girls climb a staircase off to the side. She followed them until they entered a door with a sign on it that read 'First Years.' She continued on until she found the door marked 'Fourth Years' and walked in.
Inside, Elizabeth could hear the giggling before she saw the three girls all sitting on a bed near the door. They turned and looked at her a bit confused before one with shoulder length choppy brown hair jumped up from the bed.
"Oh, you must be our new roommate! This is great! We were just wondering when we would get to meet you. I'm Bridget, by the by," she giggled. "And that's Anna, -"
"Hi!" a thin blond girl with a small girlish voice waved.
"And that's Elyse, -"
Elyse gave a quick wave and a board sounding, "Hey."
"And I'm Bridget! She giggled and then stopped abruptly. "Wait- I already told you that, didn't I? Oh well," she shrugged. "So what's your name? What brings you to Hogwarts? What classes do you like? Where did you go before you came here? Do you-."
"Bridge!" Elyse bellowed. "Mate, calm down. Why don't you let her answer a question before you shove another one down her throat."
"Oh, right!" she gave another giggle before sitting back down on the bed. "Sorry. Thanks Elyse."
"No problem, Mate. So ah, what is your name?"
"Elizabeth Parker. I used to go to Milgram Thorton Academy in America."
"Oh, an American! This is great!" They all looked at Bridget for a moment. "What? Well what did you expect me to say?"
"I don't know Mate, how bout somethin' half way intelligent?"
"Oh, shut up Elyse!" Bridget giggled. "So, what subjects do you fancy?"
"I like them all actually." Elizabeth shrugged
"But what is your favorite?" Anna piped up.
"Transfiguration, I guess."
"Oh, I'm not very good a Transfiguration." Bridget admitted.
"What subject are you good at?" Elyse snorted.
"Divination," she replied proudly.
"That's nothing but a bunch of dragon shit." Elyse scoffed.
"Is not!" Bridget cried indignantly. "You just don't like it because Professor Clearwater said that you would fall off you broom and cause Gryffindor to lose the Quidditch Cup."
"Well that just goes to show you: I stayed on my broom and we won the Quidditch Cup."
"You almost fell off."
"Yeah, almost! Besides, you try taking a bloody bludger to the back and we'll see how you do." The room was silent for a moment before she continued more calmly. "You'll like McGonagall by the way, she's the Transfiguration Mistress. She's strict, but she's always fair.
"She gives a lot of homework too," Anna chimed in.
"Yeah, but it helps. She never gives out busy work. And she's always willing to help." Elyse told Elizabeth.
"She's still mean," Anna said softly.
"She is not mean." Elyse replied forcefully.
"You just like her because she convinced your mother to let you play Quidditch." Anna retorted.
"Yeah, so? It's not like anyone else really sticks up for her. She's a good teacher and a good Head of House. No one really seems to appreciate her. Her own Gryffindors talk bad about her."
"But she takes points away from Gryffindor!" Anna raised her voice slightly.
"She takes points away from every House and she gives points to every House. That's what's known as being fair." Elyse's tone was dangerously low.
"That doesn't mean I have to like her." Anna said lamely.
"No, but you should at least show her some respect."
"Well maybe I would if-."
"Merlin!" Elyse shouted, "It's like I'm talking to a floberworm!" she got up from the bed and walked across the room to her own.
"Hey! I resent that!" Anna yelled after her.
"You should!" Elyse cried before closing the crimson curtains around her four-poster bed.
Bridget slowly got up from the bed too. "Well," she said carefully, "I think I'll good to bed too. Big day tomorrow," she giggled nervously. As soon as she got up Anna closed the curtains around her bed as well.
"Right. So, umm, you'll be over here between Elyse and I." She pointed to a bed that already had her trunk in front of it. "And don't pay any attention to them. They fight all the time but you'll see, by morning it'll be like nothing ever happened. Anna just likes to push her buttons and Elyse can be very protective sometimes. And she may seem mean sometimes, but I think that is the only way Elyse knows how to act around people. She doesn't have too many friends. I don't think she trusts too many people." Bridget whispered. "Oh, look at me! I'm just rambling on and on! We had better get some sleep. Good night, Elizabeth."
"Good night, Bridget." Elizabeth gave her a small smile before Bridget closed her curtains.
Elizabeth bent down in front of her trunk with her wand out. From the seven locks that were lined up on the outside she chose the first on and opened it silently with a flick of her wrist. She took out her nightclothes and changed quickly behind the closed curtains of her four-poster bed. She took the time to brush out her long hair before she carefully put it in a thick loose braid down her back. Before she allowed sleep to take over she place a silencing charm within the curtains of her bed and she wondered what tomorrow would bring.
