Chapter Eight – Initiations

"Cho, I have to go," was all he told her.
He could hear her calling after him as he walked away. She was asking if he was okay, if he needed anything, anything at all. He just tried to shut her voice out of his mind to keep his thoughts clear and focused. As he was hearing the castle he headed to the courtyard to find a quiet place to re-read the note he had just received by owl post. There was only two other students in the courtyard, two third year Hufflepuffs who were playing wizard's chess on the far side of where Darren was sitting.

Darren took the note out of his pocket to read it to make sure he had not misread. His eyes were wide in shock and fear as he read

You are to initiate the change of school house that has been planned for you. You are to make the change effective as soon as possible. Further instructions will be given once you accomplish this task.

At the end was scrawled the initials L.M. in a very imperious script. Darren just looked up at the sky. He decided that Potions class would probably give him the opening he would need to do this, and it would be best to do it on Monday when Snape was badgering another student. He was sure he could make Snape mad enough to kick him out of Slytherin house. Besides, Snape had already threatened him with just such an action, so it should be easy to make him do it this time.

Monday came quicker than Darren could have guessed. All night on Saturday and all day on Sunday he had been forced to listen to Draco and his cronies talking endlessly about Draco's father's release from Azkaban. In fact the entire school was abuzz with the story. The Sunday Prophet had a story on the front page that called for Cornelius Fudge to resign his office and called for Amelia Bones, the head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement to replace him. Darren knew of her from his grandfather who hated her and he knew she was not a witch to be trifled with at all. There was also another story about witches and wizards sending howlers to the Ministry that were calling for the resignation of Fudge and anyone else associated with the release of Lucius Malfoy. Darren would believe that Cornelius Fudge had resigned his office when he saw it, and had no doubt that Fudge would do everything in his power to hold on to his position.

As Transfiguration dragged on Darren caught himself still thinking of the reports in the papers when he was chastised for the third time that day by Professor McGonagall for not paying attention.

"Sorry Professor," was all he managed to say in his defense.

Her thin lips were taught in displeasure, but she continued with the class. When the bell rang Darren did not want to leave the room. He was not scared, but rather nervous. Nervous that he would indeed get expelled for antagonizing Snape, expelled and thereby failing his objective, whatever that was. All the students had left the class and Darren was still seated at his desk.

Professor McGonagall broke his thoughts with "Mr. Clarkson. Mr. Clarkson! You will be late for your next lesson, so hurry along."

"Yes ma'am," he muttered in reply. He grabbed his books and shoved them into his bag and headed out the door to Potions and his fate. As he entered the classroom Snape was ordering the students to sit and to be quiet. He saw Darren enter a minute late and he became angry enough to dock Slytherin a point for his tardiness. The other Slytherins glared at Darren, but he did not care one whit what they thought about him. He never had, so why would he start now?

The class came to attention and Snape pointed their attention to the ingredients and directions for the proper creation of the Lethargy Potion. The students started to work and Darren found himself unable to concentrate at all. His mind was racing too quickly to work on the assignment and he was going through the motions when Snape presented him with just the opening he needed.

"Longbottom how is it that your potion is brown, instead of silver? How many times did I say it is to get shredded toad skin, not chopped?! Do you not have bit of sense in your head at all boy?! What kind of miracle you pulled on your O.W.L. exam I do not know, but I assure you that if the choice had been mine, I would have never agreed to have taken you into N.E.W.T level potions"

"Well, maybe if you showed him instead of just badgering him all the time, he might get it right!" Darren heard a voice say. Snape turned slowly and his eyes widened menacingly as he realized that it was Darren's voice that had spoken out loud. Darren wasn't sure who looked more shocked, Snape, the Gryffindors, or his fellow Slytherins.

"Just who do you think you are to tell me how to teach my classes?" said Snape as he quickly crossed the classroom and literally snatched Darren out of his chair. "Come with me Clarkson, we are going to see the Headmaster, NOW! The rest of you, continue your work, and if I hear of anything out of sorts happening while I am away, it will be a week of detention cleaning out the dungeons."

Snape had Darren by the cuff of his robes and he was almost dragging him out of the classroom. Darren let himself be led along, not wanting Snape to get any angrier than he already was. They climbed the stairs out of the dungeons and Darren saw that they were in an empty corridor on the second floor and standing on front of a large stone gargoyle.

"Chocolate Nougat," said Snape, and the gargoyle began to rotate and reveal a stairwell that rose as the gargoyle turned. Snape pulled Darren on the steps behind him and they were carried up into the tower that housed Professor Dumbledore's office. Snape pushed the door open and Darren saw Dumbledore's office for the first time.

He saw the Sorting Hat on a shelf on the left and a large red and gold bird on perch behind Dumbledore's large desk. Snape pushed Darren towards a chair and said, "Sit Clarkson."

Darren sat as he was told and felt Snape standing behind him. He could feel Snape's hot breath on his neck. Snape was extremely angry, and Darren had no doubt that he would be attempting to get Darren expelled right now. Darren was looking around when he saw Professor Dumbledore coming down the steps behind his desk. He looked very tired, as if he had just been awoken from a nap.

"Ah, Professor Snape and young Mr. Clarkson, what may I do for you."

Snape started in right away. "Headmaster, I need to see you about an urgent disciplinary problem," said Snape, still holding on to Darren's robe. Dumbledore looked at Darren, and Snape immediately let go, putting his hands behind his back.

"And what might be the trouble, Severus, did another student throw a firework in class again?" he said with a look of amusement.

"No Headmaster, young Clarkson here was rude and severe with a comment to me during class. I am asking that he be expelled immediately."

Dumbledore eyed Darren with what looked like a hint of amusement in his eyes, but looked at Snape and said, "And what could a student say that would require him to be brought to see me? After all, he is in your house, is he not Severus? Usually the heads of houses handle their own disciplinary matters."

Snape went on to tell Dumbledore just what Darren had said, and Dumbledore appeared to crack the thinnest of smiles, but did not look Darren in the eyes.

"Well Professor Snape, I can see why you would be angered by his outburst, but perhaps there is a reason for it?" Snape blanched, and his cheeks and ears turned a deep shade of red. "I think a few detentions may well be in order, but I do not think expulsion is the punishment that fits this act." Snape looked like he could have eaten an entire Hippogriff.

"Then at the least, Headmaster, I want him out of Slytherin House. I no longer will welcome him there, nor will the other students," Snape said with a hint of malice.

"Well Professor Snape, what should I do with him then?" Snape made to cut Dumbledore off, but Dumbledore would not allow it. "Now Severus, I have already said that expulsion is not an option in this case. Mr. Clarkson has never had so much as a detention has he? His grades have been good overall, and he has never been a troublemaker, unlike some students."

Snape, looking murderous, collected himself before saying, "Then what is to be done with him? Surely he can't be re-sorted? It would be against tradition. It has not been done in"

"One hundred and fifty seven years, to be exact, but there is a precedent for it. A Hufflepuff named Madeleine Killburn was re-sorted into Ravenclaw in 1839, after she had reached the level of 14 O.W.L.S., and begged the Headmaster at the time to allow her to be re-sorted. From what I understand she was never very happy as a Hufflepuff anyway, so Headmaster Everard finally relented. I do, however, think all the Heads of Houses should be here though, don't you Professor Snape?"

Snape just nodded his assent and he seemed resigned to the fact that Darren would not be expelled today. Professor Dumbledore grabbed a bit of Floo Powder and threw it into his fireplace. The flames turned green and he asked Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Sprout to join them at once. All three soon emerged out of the fire and stood together with looks of puzzlement on their faces. Dumbledore began to explain to them the situation and then allowed them to talk among themselves about the situation. Darren could hear Snape relentlessly arguing that he would not be allow "that boy" back in Slytherin House as long as he headed it and he also heard Professor Sprout express her own misgivings about having a Slytherin join her house. Dumbledore then motioned for quiet with his hand and walked over to a portrait on the wall. Darren could see him talking to the wizard in the frame, but he could not make out what they were saying.

Dumbledore returned to the teachers and Darren did hear him say "Headmaster Everard and I agree that it is the proper thing to have Mr. Clarkson re-sorted immediately. I have decided that the house that the Sorting Hat chooses for him will be where he resides for the rest of his schooling, no matter which house it may be." He had looked directly at Snape when he said this.

Professor Snape was still looking murderous, Professor Sprout looked almost terrified at the chance a Slytherin may soon join Hufflepuff, Professor McGonagall's lips were pulled taut and her cheeks were almost white with what Darren assumed was anger, and Professor Flitwick was just smiling politely at Darren, as he did with every other student.

Dumbledore walked over to the shelf that held the Sorting Hat and pulled it down from its perch. The hat was limp in his hands, but as soon as it was on Darren's head, it came to life.

"Ah, Mr. Clarkson, again. What are we doing here, hmm?" Darren heard it say in his ears. "This is most unusual, as I have not had to re-sort a student in over one hundred and fifty years, and I do not see why I have to now."

Darren was thinking with all his might about how he did not want to go back to Slytherin when he heard the hat say "So, you have to leave Slytherin, do you? I stand by my original choice six years ago, but since you have to leave your house, I feel that you should go somewhere your inner most abilities will come to the forefront. I see loyalty in you, so Hufflepuff would be a fit, but not the best for you. Your strong mind would make you welcome in Ravenclaw, but I think that the bravery I sense in you makes you a Gryffindor!"

Darren let out a great sigh at the decision. He was out of Slytherin and he could get on with his life now, and what he had to do with it. He looked at the assembled teachers and he saw Snape looked much happier than Darren could ever remember him looking. Professor Sprout looked relieved it was not Hufflepuff that the hat chose for Darren, Flitwick looked a bit disappointed, but Professor McGonagall looked almost apoplectic at the though of Darren, a former Slytherin, joining her house.

Dumbledore asked all the teachers except Professor McGonagall to please excuse them. They all left together and Darren could hear Snape talking to Sprout about how he was "McGonagall's problem now, and good riddance as well."

Darren was left with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, who were talking about how Darren would fit in Gryffindor. McGonagall was asking Dumbledore how to make room for him in the dormitories.

"The boy's fifth year dormitory has five students in it and there is no room Albus," she said.

"I am confident that an Engorgement charm would suffice to reduce any overcrowding, don't you Professor McGonagall?"

Professor McGonagall just nodded her agreement and then turned to Darren.

"When we leave the Headmaster's office, you will follow me to the Gryffindor entrance and I will give you the password there. You will not give it out to any other person except another Gryffindor, is that understood Clarkson?"

Darren just nodded but Dumbledore lightly chastised her for her veiled accusation. "Now Professor McGonagall, I don't think that young Mr. Clarkson will be giving out any passwords, will you Darren?"

"No, sir," Darren muttered.

Professor McGonagall did not look pleased with Darren's answer, but she nodded her ascent to Dumbledore.

"Now, I will instruct the house elves to please bring Darren's things from the Slytherin dormitory and to put a new bed in the Gryffindor dormitory. Minerva, I must bid you and our new charge good day now, as I have a matter from the Ministry that needs my attention." Dumbledore reached his hand to Darren and said "Good luck in Gryffindor Darren, I hope everything works out for you there."

Darren returned the handshake. "Thank you sir, thank you very much." And with that he was led out of Dumbledore's office. He and Professor McGonagall stood on the steps that led to the second floor corridor. The staircase began to descend as it wound itself down and Darren and Professor McGonagall stepped out into the corridor. She started talking as soon as they rounded the first corner.

"I do not have to tell you Darren that the other Gryffindors will be reluctant to have a former Slytherin in their midst, no matter the reason he has left his old house. I know that you have not been happy in Slytherin, and I know that you will need an adjustment period, but be forewarned I will tolerate no misbehavior from any of my students, is that clear?"

Her tone was not that of a question but had more of a warning to it, and Darren just said "Yes ma'am," meekly in response.

"Very good then Clarkson, because we are almost to the common room. You will keep quiet when we enter and let me explain the situation to the rest of your fellow Gryffindors." She looked almost sick at the last sentence, but she just kept walking quickly, making Darren have to increase his pace to keep up with her. Darren saw a large portrait ahead and he was wondering why McGonagall was walking right up to it when he realized that is the Slytherin entrance was part of a stone wall, then why couldn't the Gryffindor one be behind, or part of a large portrait. Professor McGonagall walked straight up to the fat lady in the frame and said "Pixie Dust." She turned to Darren and told him to not forget the password, and to not give it to anyone other than another Gryffindor, ever.

Darren just nodded hi ascent once again and crawled through the entrance hole after her. When he set foot in the common room, he heard his name being spoken, probably in reference to what had happened in Snape's classroom earlier. When the students saw professor McGonagall and Darren, the murmuring died away almost immediately and the students stood staring at Darren, who still had on his Slytherin robes. He felt very self-conscious about his situation then and realized that he was in very deep now, and nothing would get him out of the current situation, nothing at all.

"May I have everyone's attention?" Professor McGonagall asked. "Everyone's attention please!" The students stopped staring at Darren and turned to look at her instead. "Thank you. Now, as I am sure you can tell, we have a new Gryffindor. This is Darren Clarkson and he has been re-sorted this afternoon, and will be joining us in Gryffindor. I am sure that Darren will fit in well here," she looked at him again with that same warning look she had given him in the corridor, "and he will be an asset to our house as well."

The rest of the Gryffindors did not look happy at all about Darren joining their house, and low whispers started to be heard once more.

"Now, Darren will be staying in the fifth year boy's dormitory and he will be moving in immediately, in fact as soon as his belongings are brought from his old dormitory. Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter, please come over here."
The five fifth year boys did as asked but did not look happy about it in the least. McGonagall arranged them in front of her and Darren and spoke directly to the five of them.

"Now, Darren is our newest member of Gryffindor, and I expect him to be treated as well as any other student that has spent his entire time in our house, is that clear?" To Darren it did not sound like a question at all, rather it sounded like another menacing statement to him. The five just nodded yes to her and she replied with a "Good then." Then she turned to Darren and said, "Mr. Clarkson, I must leave you here now as I have still have work to do today. Good day."

And with that Darren found himself alone and friendless in the middle of the Gryffindor common room, still wearing his Slytherin robes.