To Begin Anew

Chapter 2

Hagrid raised a gigantic fist and knocked three time on the castle door. It swung open immediately, and a tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a stern, if not skewed face.

I myself rose an eyebrow at her. Shrew.

"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," said Hagrid.

"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."

Professor McGonagall led us through a wide hall with lots of torches unlike anything that I've seen before, and up a beautiful marble staircase leading them to another hallway. I sighed, and glanced at the ones I have met on the train ride, and the ones before that. Such a diverse group of people. Makes me happy that I could acquaint myself with them all.

I felt the person in front of me stop, and found myself in a chamber the came off of the hall. Everyone crowed around McGonagall and each other, seemingly nervous.

I was most likely the only one who knew what was going to happen.

Heh.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts," At this, I saw Harry's face darken, and I frowned, "You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours.

"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting."

I saw her eyes go around to many students faces, but when she passed mine, her gaze lingered, eyebrows furrowing down in thought. She only stared a moment, but I was pretty creeped out. She continued on to other students, sending out her disapproving stare.

"I shall return when we are ready for you," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait quietly."

She left the chamber. Harry swallowed.

"How exactly do they sort us into houses?" he asked Ron.

"Some sort of test, I think. Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking."

I rolled my eyes discreetly. From what I heard of Fred, and George, neither of them were really into being serious.

I looked to Harry and Ron, only to see Harry nearly having a panic attack. I could only imagine what kind of things were going through his head, seeing as he was not only new to magic, but other things were on his mind as well. I took a step toward him, and gave him a one armed hug, not showing as much affection as I did on the train, but enough to get him out of his stupor.

"Don't worry, Harry. It won't be anything you can't handle. Trust me."

He gulped down some air, and jumped as some screams erupted from behind us. I let go and quickly turned around, protectively standing in front of my friends.

What I saw made me gasp in surprise, along with everyone else. About twenty ghosts had just streamed through the back wall. Pearly-white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room talking to one another and hardly glanced at us first years. They seemed to be arguing. What looked like a fat little monk, like one from the time of Robin Hood, was saying: "Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance-"

"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name and you know, he's not really even a ghost- I say, what are you all doing here?"

A ghost wearing a ruff and tights had suddenly noticed us.

Gee, aren't they observant.

Nobody answered the question. I just didn't feel like it, personally.

I sighed and shook my head, then turned back toward the door, away from the ghosts. I heard a gasp from one of the ghosts, and turned to look behind me. The Friar was looking at me, even more pale then before. I glanced at all the students surrounding me, and started to feel uncomfortable. Please, don't let him recognize me...

"Dionysos!" He said in a loud squeak. My eyes narrowed at him, and I showed a puzzled look upon my face.

He turned around and ran... excuse me, flew, off.

I have a feeling I was just about to be bombarded with questions before a sharp voice, McGonagall, sounded out behind me.

"Move along now. The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." She said, and the ghosts filed away one by one though the walls.

Thank you, father, for thou has just saved me a lot of trouble.

We all got into line, myself around the middle of the line, and Harry behind a boy with sandy hair, and Ron behind him. Quietly, we walked through a pair of double doors into the Great Hall.

Gasps on amazement and shock ran through everyone, though I myself saw through the enchantment, and even knew how to do it. Woot.

The room was huge, though, with thousands of candles floating in midair above the four, long, student filled tables. They were all dressed in robes, and had on pointy caps. At the long table to the front of the hall, teachers sat.

The majority of the students were now looking up at the ceiling, almost bumping into each other. I heard, barely, Hermione whisper, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History."

At this, I sighed and shook my head. And now it sounds like your showing off, dear girl. I was interrupted from my musings of how she sounded so snobbish, but had a good soul, by the setting down of an object. I looked forward, my head whipping the hair around my face back with the force of the movement. Professor McGonagall had put a four-legged stool in front of us, and she had put a pointed wizard's hat on top. The hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty.

We all stared in silence for a few moments, before the hat twitched. I smiled as a rip near the brim opened like a mouth, and started to sing:

"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat then me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindor apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

If you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folk use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!"

The whole hall burst into applause as the hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and then became quite still again.

"So we've just go to try on the hat!" Ron whispered to Harry. "I'll kill Fred, he was going on about wrestling a troll."

I sighed and rolled my eyes openly as I heard Ron from my spot. Ye Gods, would he quite his whining?

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," Professor McGonagall said. "Abbott, Hannah!"

I groaned quietly. This would take a while. I'll just use my handy ability to tune out those around me till I hear Harry being called first. Potter comes before Prome, after all.

I yawned, and set about my zoning out. During that time, I notice a lot of kids going up, and then off to one of the four tables. At last, Harry was called.

"Potter, Harry!"

As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the hall.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?"

I growled slightly at all this chatter, and the kids around me took a step back, shutting up. I quickly stopped, and sheepishly grinned.

"Eh... sorry?"

After that little commotion died down (dealing with my growl, of course), I heard quiet mumbling coming from Harry.

"-not Slytherin, eh? Are you sure? You could be great, you know, it's all here in your head."

At this, I realized that the talking was coming from the hat on Harry's head. Hmmm... it's all in your head...?

My eyes shot open all the way in shock. Shit! That, that thing, it has to read my mind!

"-better be GRYFFINDOR!" The Sorting Hat shouted with a flourish.

Harry had a grin on his face as he shakily walked toward the Gryffindor table. He seemed really relived, though. I wonder why...

"Prome, Dionysos!"

At this, the hall once again quieted. I took a step out of the line and walked confidently up to the Sorting Hat, making sure that my mental walls were even more secure then before. Can't let that thing see what I don't want it to see, not till I get an answer from it.

I hop/sat upon the stool, not bothering to take my hands out of my pockets. The hat was place upon my head, going over my eyes, and the last I saw was Harry looking at me intently.

"Hmmm... interesting. Now, why won't you let me in, Dionysos? I can't very well put you into a house without looking into what kind your character." The hat said into my hear.

I smirked slightly before opening a small mental connection between itself and myself. "Well, I can't really do that till I know if you wouldn't spill what you found out, you know?"

When I made the contact with the hat, it jerked slightly on my head, "What!" It too, now spoke mentally, "How are you able to do that? Only those of considerable power are able to access, let alone use, this ability."

I closed my eyes, "Sorting Hat, if you promise me upon your creators death bed that you will not repeat what I will show you, then you can look around. But only at what I show you. No more, or else you will be in danger. And not from me, but my relatives. Now, do you swear?"

The hat tilted forward slightly, and then went back to its original position. "Yes. I swear upon Godric Gryffindor's grave that I will not tell a soul what I find here tonight."

I smiled then, and allowed a small flood of memories from this life come into being. The Sorting Hat reviewed what I had for a moment, then spoke to me.

"How would you like to be placed into Slytherin? You are cunning and sly, though also brave and determined! And your mind! There's so much information that most adults don't even know! Oh, I'm not sure where to place you anymore. Though I still believe Slytherin would be the best choice. Oh yes, you could flourish there."

I thought a moment myself. No matter what house I would be in, it would look a bit strange. I thought how long I must be here talking with the hat was unusual.

"Well, yes, you did take a great deal longer then everyone else. Even Mr. Potter didn't take this long. I believe I need your decision now."

"Alright. Put me into the house you think is best." I sighed.

"If your sure. Since I believe that you can overcome great obstacles, I will- put you in SLYTHERIN!"

Once that was announced, the hat was taken off my head, and I glanced at the Gryffindor table as I headed to my own. Harry was looking at me sadly, and Ron was in shock. I gave a small smile and wave before turning around, and promised myself that I would get in touch with them to solidify our friendship later.

I went over to the table and sat down across from Draco, the only one I knew out of the rest. He smirked at me as the rest of the names were listed and called off.

"Good to know you got put at the proper table, Prome." Draco said in a snobbish voice.

I rolled my eyes and looked at him pointedly. He looks a bit less foolish afterward. "You know to call me Dionysos, don't you Draco?" I said to him.

He sighed and nodded. "Yes yes, I know. I'm just so used to calling everyone by there surname, you know."

"Then get over it when your around me, alright?" I said a little sharply.

Draco's eyes widened a little and he nodded slowly. "Okay."

My stomach decided to growl, as it does every couple of hours, and a slight blush crossed my cheeks because of the loudness of it. Draco's eyes flew to my stomach, and I frowned.

"Was...? Was that.. your stomach?" He asked in disbelief.

I nodded and had a sheepish grin on my face.

Luckily, Albus Dumbledore was on his feet now. He was beaming at everyone, his arms opened wide, as if nothing could have pleased him more than to see them all there.

Man, am I lucky right now or what?

"Welcome!" he said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!

"Thank you!"

He sat back down as everyone clapped and cheered. I started laughing, as did a lot of the other Slytherins. All around me was talk about if he was daft or not. I'd say not, by that twinkle of mischief in his eye.

I glanced at the table, were all the food was. Interesting. I don't think it was a spell... I shrugged. Oh well. Eat first, question later.

I dug in hungrily, grabbing lots of things. Potatoes, steak, fries, carrots, and lamb chops all ended up on my plate, along with many other meats. The fact that I was eating lamb amused me greatly.

After awhile, many different ghosts passed by. The Bloody Baron passed by our table, and he glanced at me with a smirk, then sat down next to Draco. Draco turned more pale then before. I nodded my head at him out of respect, and he did the same.

This exchange was missed by the students, I believe (because they were to busy trying to look away from him in fright), but I wasn't so sure about the teachers, for I felt a pair of eyes land on me afterwards. I swiftly brought my head up to meet the watchers eyes, and ended up meeting a man with shoulder length ebony hair, narrowed dark brown eyes, crook nose, and dark blue, if not black, robes. I tilted my head and raised a questioning eyebrow innocently. The teachers mouth turned down in a frown, and he turned to the side to talk with another professor who had a turban on. I also looked at the teacher with the turban, who in turn looked toward me. Our eyes met, and my eyes narrowed dangerously. He wasn't just a teacher. What he was, I don't know. But it wasn't quite human. I must keep my eye on him.

By now, there was dessert out, so I decided to get some before it disappeared like the main course did. It's a good thing I did, too, because not soon after I finished my dessert (which took me an entire 2 minutes of eating faster then a normal human- whoops.), it too disappeared. And after they did, Professor Dumbledore got to his feet again. The hall fell silent.

"Ahem- just a few more words now that we are all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you.

"First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well."

Dumbledore twinkling eyes flashed in the direction of the Weasley twins.

"I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors.

"Quidditch trails will be held in the second week of the term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch.

"And finally, I must tell you that this year, the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a very painful death."

I laughed, as did Harry at his table, but not many others did.

"-usually gives us... reason... dangerous beasts... told us prefects, at least." I heard Percy, Ron's older brother (that resides in school), say.

I cringed, jeeze, my hearing must be going or something.

Damn abilities.

"And now, before we go to bed, let us sing the school song!" cried Dumbledore. The crook-nose teacher openly scowled, but everyone else had fixed smiles on their faces.

Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, as if he was trying to get a fly off the end, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, which rose high above the tables and twisted itself, snakelike, into words. Neat.

"Everyone pick their favorite tune," said Dumbledore, "and off we go!"

And the school bellowed (unfortunately):

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,

Teach us something please,

Whether we be old and bald

Or young with scabby knees,

Our heads could do with filling

With some interesting stuff,

For now they're bare and full of air,

Dead flies and bits of fluff,

So teach us things worth knowing,

Bring back what we've forgot,

Just do your best, we'll do the rest,

And learn until our brains will rot."

Everyone, and I mean everyone, finished at different times. At last, only the Weasley twins were left singing along to a very slow funeral march. I snickered as Dumbledore conducted their last few lines with his wand and when they had finished, he was one of those who clapped loudest.

"Ah, music," he said, wiping his eyes. "A magic beyond all we do here! And now, bedtime. Off you trot!"

At this, all the Slytherin first years were herded together, and told by our own Prefect that we were to follow him, and if we didn't, that we would be severely punished. Most scoffed and rolled their eyes, but quieted when the Prefect looked back with a glare. The Bloody Baron followed us down the stairs a way, before he caught my eye, nodded, and floated upward through the roof. I glanced around me, saw that most weren't paying attention, and relaxed, staring straight ahead. We soon, after going through a winding pathway (though luckily, straight, no side corridors accept at the very beginning), approached a portrait hole. On the cover was a man with dark brown, straight hair, high cheek bones, and bright blue eyes that shone intelligently.

"Password?" He asked them crisply.

"Breckzien Jasper." He said curtly, making the portrait swing open. Before the portrait's face left his vision, he could have sworn it winked at him.

Do all things supernatural that are not humans know what I am!

Damnation! That is honestly going to start pissing me off sometime soon.

The Prefect led us through the door, into our common room. Wow...

The beauty of the room in it's green and silver splendor left me breathless. It was warmer then one would expect a dungeon to be, even with the roaring fires in the few fireplaces. It reminded me greatly of my room, with all the green, though mine only had some silver in it. Armchairs and couches were along the walls, and next to the fireplaces. Overall, pretty comfortable.

The girls were through one door, and ours another. First year had it's own room, so I was happy to say that I was able to get dibs on the bed behind the door- able to see who comes in, but not able to be seen by that same person. Good position if under attack.

Ignore that bit. Part of my nature coming back to me. Anyway, time to go to bed.

"Goodnight Draco," I said sleepily.

"G'night, Dio." He said, even more sleepy then me.

I chuckled softly at the nickname, and went to sleep.

A.N.- Next chapter here! . I just felt like writing, so I sat down at wrote. . ; Hey, it does happen. Now, even though he is in Slytherin, don't expect him to act like the rest of the Slytherin. He is different, after all. But I am not telling why he was put in there. I do have my reasons, and only a very select few (who help me with the story on occasion) will know. Righteo. So, next chapter, what will happen with classes? And when will he meet our co-hero, Harry, again?

Oh, I'm having such fun with this story. I'll update when I can, but that most likely won't be till after May 26th, cause I get out of school on the 25th, and am busy the 26th with my friend's graduation.

Anyway, Laters.