II. The Legendary Event
Wet and cold. How that happened she was still trying to determine. She was in pain as well, her back ached and her limbs surged. At the attempt of moving she would suck in a harsh breath as her body would scream out in protest. Her mind and spirit knew she had to move out of the rain but her body refused to move. A roar of thunder came as well as another shriek. Rose shuddered, forcing herself to sit up under the rock she crawled under. She took in a shaky breath, wincing when the shriek would return in the rain.
She knew she was on a hill. Or close to one. She'd look around when the lightning flashed to see that above there was a fence, maybe a barbed wire one. She was outside a forest it looked like, but with the rain it was hard to tell. She knew for sure it was nighttime, but where she was and when she was remained a mystery. If he was there, The Doctor could tell her that they were in England in the early nineteen nineties. But she had woken up alone without even the TARDIS nearby, let alone the Doctor.
All she could remember was the shrieking sound and wind when she was still inside the TARDIS with the Doctor. He was talking about something along the lines of the TARDIS before the shriek came. Then she had woken up on this awful hill with the same shrieking behind her. Rose let out a ragged cough before bringing her knees to her chest in the attempt to curl into a ball. Being wet and cold was bad enough, but now she was muddy. She coughed again, moving the wet hair from her eyes to only succeed in plastering mud all over her face.
Lightning flashed again. Rose's eyes went up to the hill where she saw a figure. Her eyes narrowed as she tried to distinguish his features but was unable to. However following the roaring thunder and shrieking was a clunk, clunk, clunk. Rose felt her heart beat quicken and instinctively pulled her legs closer in attempt to hide into the rock she was against. The lightning flashed again showing that the figure was now gone and the abnormally loud clunks had disappeared. She breathed a sigh of relief.
However her relief didn't last long as lightning flashed again showing the figure before her. Rose let out a small yip of fear, huddling closer to the rock. The figure shook his head at her, muttering something as one of his eyes spun in its socket. Rose covered her mouth, not wanting to scream or allow her last meal to come up.
"Stop with that starin', girl." He spoke harshly and grumbled. The man took off the cloak he wore, offering it to Rose. Rose slowly took it, draping it around her shoulders. Immediately following that the man grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up. Rose wobbled on her feet, ready to fall but his large arms caught her. "Drink this." He instructed, handing her a bottle from a pouch he carried. She decided to trust him and drank, feeling the numbing pain slowly disappearing.
"See, not so bad now is it?" the man spoke and pulled the hood over her head. "Come on now, lets get you to an inn." Despite having a wooden leg and cane, he helped her up the hill and into the muddy forest. After moments of traveling Rose found herself in a small town, on a hill that seemed to just go on and on. The large rough hand guided her along gently; making sure her footing was fine. Rose brought her mud covered hand to her mouth as she coughed horribly, feeling a warm substance cover her palm. She looked down, recognizing the red substance. Blood.
The spinning eye turned and looked at her hand.
"Why you bleeding, girl?" came a soft voice. Rose looked up from her hood at the stranger that came to her aid as a growl came from him. "Bullocks it's rubbing off already, bloody weather." He muttered and guided Rose to stand in an alley way, holding a hand up. Rose stood bewildered as the man took a drink from a flash and sniffed the air, standing still for a few moments before the eye squirmed back at her. "You got a name, girl?" his voice returned to a husky one.
"Rose," she spoke softly finding that her throat hurt as well. "Rose Tyler."
The man nodded and muttered the name to himself. His arm went out to catch her as she fell forward. He muttered a curse to himself seeing she had passed out. Her face was warm. The strange man with his wooden leg and crazy eye picked Rose up and went to the closest inn.
The large doors swung open as students entered the Great Hall, heading to their seats. He sat back in his chair; arms folded watching as the nearly identical robbed teenagers entered. The only differences in their outfits were their ties, blue, green, red, and yellow. He glanced up at the banners above each table. That made since. House colors. However his thoughts were broken by a large yell. The Doctor looked over to see large red water balloons being dropped from the ceiling. His head titled and his eyebrows came together as McGonagall ran past him to the scene.
"Peeves! You get down here at once!" She shouted at the gesture poltergeist that danced above. The Doctor licked his tongue against the back of his teeth in wonder at how it could effectively get a student soaked. He smirked however as the strong Minerva McGonagall slipped on the water covered floor and grabbed a female student to steady herself. That was when the Doctor took time to study who was there.
Three students together. A taller boy, the one who had been hit with the balloon, had freckles and red hair. Then came the girl, long brown wavy hair that was untamed. A book worm if he saw it right. And finally was another boy, lean with black glasses outlining his green eyes. The boy noticed the eyes of the Doctor and looked at him. The Doctor noticed the odd lightning bolt scar on his forehead, and clicked against his teeth again. The boy looked uneasy before the girl grabbed onto his arm and the three began to whisper as they sat beside a ghost at their table. The three pairs of eyes fell on the Doctor who nodded and waved to them, turning his attention back to the room.
"Here comes my favorite part,"
The Doctor looked at Dumbledore who he sat next to. The other seat beside the Headmaster was empty, reserved for McGonagall who had disappeared outside the Great Hall. Dumbledore turned his head and smiled, his eyes sparkling through his spectacles.
"You see, Doctor." He explained. "We begin every year with the First Years, who are sorted into their houses." He gestured to the banners above the tables with his eyes, the Doctor nodded as he took each colorful banner into retrospect. "It is always a wonderful thing to see students so young and eager to learn about the ways of our world. Brilliant young minds waiting to be sculpted and melded." He smiled. "You and I are alike in many ways, don't you agree?"
"Well usually the people I get along with are the ones that have similar ways of thinking, yes." The Doctor met the gentle smile with his mad one. "But I agree, it is always a wonderful sight to see such innocent people seeing things on the outside for the first time." His eyes went back to the Hall and darkened, his thoughts returning to Rose; almost two weeks and no answers about where she might be or where his TARDIS was. He'd never admit it to anyone, but he was frightened, especially as he was still finding out who he was – and with that came the regeneration illness.
"You see him, there?" Dumbledore called his attention to the table with the large lion above them. The Doctor's eyes met the green ones of the boy whom the Headmaster had gestured too. "That, my very old friend, is Harry James Potter. A legend," he turned his gaze to the Doctor, who met it. The old wizard's eyes were fierce but sparkled with their joy and wonder. "He was the one that lived, my good Doctor, the only one to live through an attack made by the Dark Lord."
The Doctor nodded, knowing full better not to speak the name of Voldermort unless it was in private company. His brown eyes met the green ones again, both trying to see each other. Yet the red headed friend pulled the boy – Harry Potter – to attention of another student that had walked up.
"It's going to be a very interesting year," he mused.
Dumbledore chuckled lightly. "Indeed it is, my friend, it is."
The doors of the Great Hall were once again opened and silence filled the room. McGonagall entered with a large amount of students walking behind her in orderly fashion. The stood in a line, waiting as the Deputy Headmistress placed a three legged stool before them, and atop that stool sat a hat. The Doctor's eyebrows shot up in wonder as he put his chin in his hand. However nothing could prepare the Doctor for what happened next:
The hat sang.
And it was a long song, filled with tales about the ancestry of the houses and their founders, woven into Hogwarts history. He wasn't one much for songs, especially one sang by an old hat that was patched up beyond the comprehensive mind. The Great Hall erupted into applause as the hat finished its song, cheers and whooting all about. The Doctor slowly raised his hands and clapped as well, attempting to fall into the grove of how the school worked. However McGonagall stood and the hall fell into another state of perfect silence.
"I shall call our your name, and you will then place the Sorting Hat onto your head." She instructed the shaking first years. "You will then sit on the stool where the hat will call out your house. You will join your house at the appropriate table and await further instructions." She cleared her throat and began her list. "Ackerly, Stewart!"
"Ravenclaw!"
The Doctor leaned over as the table of Ravenclaw busted out into greetings. "Why are they so wet?"
"Ah," Dumbledore smiled, and gestured to the large man who sat at the end of one table. "This is because our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Hagrid, brings the First Years by boat across the lake to Hogwarts every year."
"Even though it is poring rain?" The Doctor was least to say surprised.
"Tradition my good friend, tradition."
"Creevey, Dennis!"
"Gryffindor!"
The Doctor and Dumbledore looked over as the boy scurried off to the table. That was when he noticed more students of freckles and red hair seated at the table: siblings no doubt. There were two twins, the boy from earlier, and then a girl. The Doctor felt the eyes of Harry Potter on him and met the young boys gaze with a fiery one. Their gazes locked until the final student was sorted and McGonagall took the hat and stool from the Great Hall. The Doctor looked up as Dumbledore stood to address the students.
"I have but only two words for you all," he smiled, looking at them all in turn. "Tuck in."
A great roar came up as food piled up on the students plates. The Doctor looked at his plate and followed the examples of others, watching the food appeared. Magic. He smiled to himself, supposing he would have to be used to that while he was here. He would just have to admit into agreeing with magic, even if it had nothing to do with science. His hand went to the jacket pocket where his Sonic Screwdriver lay dormant.
"Honestly," McGonagall addressed the Doctor as she sat down and he looked at her. "You should at least attempt to fit into the school and wear robes."
The Doctor smiled kindly. "I beg your pardon not, dear Minerva, because I am not a wizard and thus I shouldn't wear the robes of one. It would be an insult." McGonagall took this into concideration for a moment before nodding, her large hat flapping with her.
"Quiet right, Doctor." She nodded in agreement with him. "Although, tell me what name you will be giving these students for your time here?"
"Ooh, well." The Doctor breathed, looking up for a moment before returning her gaze. "I suppose I'll just go by my nickname from home, Theta Sigma, after all many of your people know me by that name yeh?" she smiled and nodded again. He smirked, raising his golden goblet to drink the Pumpkin juice inside. It surprised him first, but as always he quickly adapted to how the way of life moved through the Great Hall.
Slytherins were the snakes. They hated everyone that was not one of them, bullying and picking. However they were the large rivals of Gryffindor, the proud and rule keepers of the school (minus Harry Potter as the Doctor had learned from Dumbledore). Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tended to balance the two out. He could tell how the founders of the school and houses still impacted the way the students acted and behaved. Sorted out by way of thought and attitude and personality, not skill. Brilliant.
His ears picked up a large clank from the Gryffindor table. His eyes darted over, seeing the brown haired girl aghast over something she had learned. He could tell she was bright and steadfast in what she believed in, maybe to the point of naivety. She was arguing with the red headed friend as Harry attempted to get his friends to stop fighting. A smile came to the Doctors face, it made a warmth come into his chest when he could see children of any race act like children.
The Doctor turned his attention from the students to the staff. They were a variety of sizes and shapes and personalities, perhaps the dankest one he saw was someone he remembered from his days as his fourth incarnation: Professor Severus Snape. He looked the exact same but older and fouler, things hadn't changed much it seemed.
Dumbledore lifted himself from his chair and stood before the congregation of students, all eyes on the room fell onto him at that moment and the room fell silent.
"Now that we have filled ourselves with food and drink, I must address a few notices produced by the staff this year." The old wizard spoke on about forbidden objects in the school grounds (a list that ranged to four hundred and thirty seven items), the forest that was out of bounds and how the town of Hogsmeade was out of bounds for any students under their third year (though the Doctor wasn't sure where Hogsmeade was at the moment).
"Which brings me to a painful revelation," he continued. "This year Hogwarts will not be hosting a Inter-House Quidditch Cup." The members of all four teams shouted out in protest and shock. The old Headmaster let them bring out their anger before raising his hand for silence so that he might explain his reasoning. "This is because Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary even this year, which I am sure you will all enjoy. I am pleased to announce that this year Hogwarts will be playing as a home to…."
The doors to the Great Hall, for a third time that night, were thrown open. All heads spun and eyes fell onto the cloaked man standing in the doorway. The man slowly approached the professors, his wooden leg clunking about the floor of the hall and echoing off the walls. One of the eyes swerved about looking at everything in turn (this made the Doctor very interested) as he approached them. The man whose skin was badly scared reached them and extended his hand to Dumbledore. Dumbledore gently shook his hand and muttered a soft welcome before offering the man a seat. The man sat and removed his cloak, taking a drink from the flask at his side.
"Students and staff," Dumbledore smiled and gestured to the man. "May I introduce the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher: Professor Moody." There was a silence, only broken by the applauding of Hagrid, Dumbledore and the Doctor (who had guessed it was just a normal way of greeting a new staff member). Dumbledore cleared his throat and turned back to address the still gawking students.
"As I was explaining to you all," he continued. "This year Hogwarts is hosting the legendary event that has not been held for over a century, however this will not be taking place but for a few more months. I am pleased to inform you that we will be playing host to the Tri-Wizard Tournament."
Before the Doctor could say his surprise, one of the red headed students of Gryffindor had for him. "You're joking!" he shouted.
Dumbledore laughed as did the students and some of the teachers. "I am not joking, Mr. Weasley. However I did hear a rather funny one this summer…" he paused as McGonagall cleared her throat and the students laughed again. The Doctor offered McGonagall a smile and a shake of the head. "I suppose now is not the time for jokes, perhaps another time. At any cost, I know many students are unaware of what the Tri Wizard Tournament is, so those that know are allowed to think of other things."
He paused. "This tournament was created seven hundred years ago as friendly competition between the three schools, Hogwarts, Baeuxbatons, and Durmstrang. One student – a champion – was selected from each school and placed through three trying tasks to prove whose school was superior in that tournament. It took place once every five years, each school playing host to it. It proved to be a wonderful way for wizards and witches of young age to know each other from different nations, until that is the death toll raged too high," there was hushed whispers. "With that the tournament was discontinued.
"Since then there were several attempts to bring the tournament back but all failed. Yet this year there was success when the departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports believed that now was a good time to try again. We have spent all summer working with the departments to make sure that no champion falls into mortal danger. The Headmasters of Baeuxbatons and Durmstang will arrive in October with their chosen contenders. The selection of the champions from each school will be made during the Halloween Feast. The champion who wins the tournament will receive eternal glory, as well as a thousand Galleons in prize money." There was a sudden uproar of students proclaiming they would be the champion that won it. Dumbledore raised his hand again for silence.
"And as I know many of you are eager to be in this tournament, the heads of the schools and the Ministry of Magic have decided that anyone below the age of seventeen is not allowed to enter the tournament." He raised his hand again. "This is to keep you all safe, I assure. The tasks while not mortally dangerous, they are dangerous for even the most skilled student. Please do not waste your time submitting your names if you are not of the age mark." He smiled as the students began to shuffle to leave. "Wait a moment," the students stopped and stared.
Dumbledore turned slightly to the Doctor, a twinkle in his eye. However the Doctor returned his gaze with dark brown eyes – not for the choice of bringing the tournament back at all. He motioned for him to stand, which he followed as the Headmaster turned back to his students.
"Due to recent events at the World Qudditch Cup, which I am sure you all know of," he explained. "And the reinstatement of the Tri Wizard Tournament, the Ministry of Magic has decided it would be wise to have a representative at our school." The students whispered and groaned while many just stared at the Doctor, baffled by his lack of robes (he was still in his previous incarnations outfit).
"I would like to introduce you all to the Ministry's representative," Dumbledore looked back at the Doctor who gave a small nod. "Doctor Theta Sigma, although you may refer to him as Professor if you so wish."
"Actually," the Doctor spoke for the first time to the students with his Scottish accent. A silence fell upon the whole room. "I would prefer just 'The Doctor', but if you wish to call me Professor then you may." The staff all applauded for him (minus Moody of course) as he sat back down, his chin in his hands. Dumbledore smiled and turned back to the congregation.
"Just one final announcement then you all will be excused for bed." He looked at them all smiling. "During the next week, before breakfast, Doctor Sigma will be visiting one house for inspections and to meet the students. You are free to ask questions, but follow the guidelines your house heads have set. Doctor Sigma is also open to ask any of you questions. Your house heads know when your house is to be interviewed, and now." He clapped his hands together. "It is bed time, rest well!" he finally took his seat, speaking with Moody as The Doctor turned to McGonagall.
"Is it really wise to host this tournament, Minerva?" he asked in a whisper, seeing Harry look at him through the corner of his eyes.
"We will see, won't we?" McGonagall answered, looking over the students before returning his gaze. "We will be most prepared for our students, Doctor, do not worry."
The Doctor sighed, sitting back in his seat resting his head in his hand. "It isn't your students I'm worried about." He looked at McGonagall as she stood. "It's the other schools."
She nodded in understanding resting her hand on his shoulder. She and the other house heads left the hall at that time to ensure that all were getting to bed. The Doctor sighed heavily, looking up at the ever changing ceiling of the Great Hall. Gray and purple clouds swirled above as the warning of the Oncoming Storm. He hoped that he would not have to use that ancient title ever again.