5 "Bird In your Bonnet"
Jerrod watched, as Hogwarts loomed out of the fog. It was truly a gigantic castle. The carriage rocked as it passed over the drawbridge. The moat ran quietly underneath. The carriage stopped, and they got out. Ms. Granger stood there, waiting for them.
'Your mum's a teacher?' Jerrod asked, surprised.
'Yep, she's Deputy-Mistress, Transfiguration teacher and Librarian.'
'She's nuts.' Beck laughed.
'You don't know the half of it.' The students all followed Ms. Granger up into the school, through the Entrance Hall. Pushing through a massive set of double doors, the crowd entered the Great Hall. Ms. Granger put a hand on Jerrod's shoulder.
'You need to be Sorted, this way.' She led him to a small room off the Entrance Hall. A well-worn hat was rested on a stool.
'Sit' said Ms. Granger picking up the hat. Jerrod sat on the wooden stool, and Ms. Granger dropped the hat on his head.
'Oh' said a voice inside his head. 'Oh, I'm going to enjoy this.'
'What the…' said Jerrod.
'It's the hat, don't worry' said Ms. Granger. The hat shifted on Jerrod's head.
'I see you in Slytherin, on your way to great things.' Jerrod froze. His dad had been in Slytherin, and had picked up the reputation that came with it.
No thanks, though Jerrod.
'Oh, you're a nice boy, maybe a Hufflepuff.' Anger flared in Jerrod. His mother had been a Hufflepuff-.
'I remember her, but you're quick to rage. I think you'd do better in-.'
Jerrod walked into the Great Hall. Beck waved him over, but he didn't move. Instead, he pointed at the Ravenclaw table. Beck looked crestfallen. Jerrod walked over to his house table, and sat down, apart from the rest of the students. Small pieces of paper fluttered into existence in front of them all. Jerrod recognised his timetable. He'd chosen a wide spread of subjects. Advanced Potions, Advanced Charms, Spell-Writing, Advanced Transfiguration, and Enchanting. He looked at tomorrow's load, and groaned.
'How's yours?' asked Beck, walking up behind him.
'Monday's a pain. Double Charms at nine, Transfiguration at eleven, and Double Enchanting at one.' Beck smiled, showing him her timetable.
'I'll see you in Transfiguration and Enchanting than. Maybe we could go for lunch at Hogsmeade before Enchanting?'
'Sure' said Jerrod. A loud voice resonated throughout the hall.
'Attention, can I have your attention please.' Jerrod looked, and saw a slightly plump man, standing next to an ornate chair, which was conspicuously empty. 'This year, I have a few messages to pass on. Professor Weasley has again warned people not to enter the Dark Forest, unless you wish to have first hand experience with some of the nastiest creatures in existence.' A man with wild red hair nodded.
'That's my uncle, Charlie' whisper Beck, who'd sat down for the speech.
'Second, the headmaster is out on business, so anyone wishing to speak to him, should see Ms. Granger instead. Up on the staff table, Beck's mother gave a slight wave.
'And once again, our Potions Master reminds all students to stay away from the dungeons.' A tall, thin man stood, and glared at the assembly.
'Yes, thank you Professor Malfoy.'