The Sorting And The New Professor
When it was announced that the train would be pulling into the Hogsmeade station in five minutes, everyone rushed to change into their robes. Harry and Ron helped Goku get his on correctly, after he tried to put it on backwards. When the train finally pulled into the station, the four of them gathered their things slowly, waiting for the majority of the students to leave, so the aisles wouldn't be so crowded.
Finally, they felt it was all right for them to leave their compartment and disembark. As they stepped off the train, Harry immediately saw his old friend Hagrid at the other end of the platform, motioning to some of the students. "Firs' years!" he called out, "Firs' years this way!" A band of younger, rather terrified looking students were crowded around him, looking as if they weren't at all sure they wanted to be where they were at all. Suddenly the comforts of home seemed very far away as they were being prepared for the traditional boat ride across the lake all first year students had to take.
When Harry saw that Hagrid was looking his way, he gave a wave. Hagrid returned it then saw Goku and called over to him, "Hey!"
Goku was looking around in fascination and didn't even seem to hear Hagrid, till Harry brought it to his attention. Then he turned to him, grinning "Yes?" he called out.
"Ye'r Goku, right?" Without waiting for an answer, Hagrid continued. "Ye hav 'ta come wit' th firs' years."
"But I'm not a first year!" Goku politely shouted back, or at least as politely as one could shout. "I'm a transfer, I'm going to be a fourth year student, just like these guys!" He indicated Ron, Harry, and Hermione. "Well, these two guys and one girl!" he added.
"Doesn' matter," Hagrid called, shaking his head. "Ye still 'ave t'be sorted an' such. Dumbledore said ye were t'come on the boat wit' th' others!"
"I'm not surprised," Hermione said. "You don't have a house yet."
"Well, if Dumbledore says I should go, then I will." Goku grinned. "I'll see you guys later!" He ran over to join Hagrid and the other first year students. But unlike the first years, Goku was positively beaming.
"I wonder what house he'll be put in," Harry pondered out loud as the three of them headed for the carriages, which as usual, were drawn by invisible horses.
"Not Slytherin," Ron said quickly.
"No, definitely not Slytherin," Harry agreed. He, Ron, and Goku had discussed this many times over the summer and never drew a conclusion, although they had narrowed it down a bit.
"I don't think he's a Ravenclaw either," Hermione said, as they climbed into one of the carriages.
Ron and Harry suppressed smiles. It was obvious that while Goku was many things, he didn't have the brains or the cleverness usually sought after by the Ravenclaw house. Although, if Goku always looked the way he had when he was facing down Malfoy and his cronies, they might consider it. He had seemed very intelligent then. And, capable of enough viciousness that maybe even Slytherin would consider him. The thought of Goku in Slytherin gave Harry a shivery, prickly feeling, almost as if someone took an icicle and ran it up his spine. How would the Slytherin house affect someone so wide-eyed and fascinated with everything?
"That leaves Gryffindor and Hufflepuff," Hermione continued, as the carriage began moving, taking them to Hogwarts. "From what you wrote about him this summer and all such, I would have said he'd be a Hufflepuff. But after the train, the way he stood up for all of us, he might do well in Gryffendor."
"Who knows for sure?" Ron said, shrugging. "By all rights, you should be in Ravenclaw, Hermione, you're the smartest kid in the school. But you ended up in Gryffindor."
"I've wondered about that," Hermione admitted. "I mean, I think I have a lot of good Gryffendor qualities too, but intellectually, I should have been put in Ravenclaw. And the only thing I can think of is that I wanted to go into Gryffindor."
Harry had spent a lot of time his second year wondering about that himself. The sorting hat (which was no ordinary hat at all, but a hat with magical intelligence) had told him he would have been a great Slytherin, but Harry hadn't wanted any part of it, and instead was placed in Gryffindor. He did know now that he belonged there, but sometimes he wondered if the hat really just mimicked what the wearer wanted to hear. "Maybe," He thought, "If you admire the qualities of one house enough, the hat will put you there cause it knows that you'll develop them."
"That could be true," Hermione agreed, which startled Harry a bit, till he realized he must have been saying his thoughts out loud.
The carriage rode through the tall iron gates and drove up to the entryway. When the carriage came to a stop, Harry was glad to get out and stretch his legs. And, to get away from the smell of moldy straw that seemed to cling inside the carriages.
As they walked inside the entryway, Harry half expected someone to call him out of the group. So far, he hadn't made it to a single sorting ceremony other than his own. In his second year he and Ron ended up traveling here in the Weasleys' flying car, because of trouble boarding the train. Last year, an incident with Dementors had caused him to be brought to Professor McGonagall's office to see if he was all right. Even though he knew that nothing had happened so far this year to warrant alarm, he still didn't breathe a sigh of relief until he was safely inside the Great Hall and he was admiring the enchanted ceiling that sparkled with thousands of tiny stars.
The rest of the hall looked cheerful and inviting, decorated for the beginning of the term feast. Golden plates and goblets twinkled and gleamed in the light from hundreds of candles hovering in midair over the tables. The four house tables were already beginning to fill with other students and Harry had this warm, comfortable feeling of truly coming home as he, Ron, and Hermione hurried over to greet old friends and find a place.
"Hey," Ron finally said, when they were seated. "Did anyone see Neville on the train? I don't remember seeing him anywhere, and he's not here."
Harry shook his head. Now that Ron had mentioned it, he realized he was right. Harry hadn't seen the round-faced Neville anywhere yet. "He might be coming in soon," Harry said. "We probably just missed seeing him."
"No, you didn't," Hermione said, her voice strangely quiet. "He's not coming to Hogwarts this year."
"What?" Harry and Ron both cried out together in shock. Neville was a fellow Gryffindor and in the same year as them. While he wasn't as close to them as the three of them were to each other, he was still a friend.
"You're joking, aren't you?" Ron asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I got an owl from him over the summer telling me about it."
"You and Neville write each other?" Ron asked, his voice sounding a little strained.
"Yes," Hermione said in a matter-of-fact voice. "He would have written you too, if you'd only bothered to ask him."
"Why isn't he coming back to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, before Ron and Hermione could go off on one of their famous arguing sessions.
Hermione sighed. "His grandmother is worried that he's falling too far behind. She's mostly worried that Hogwarts is too.. hard for him now."
Harry and Ron looked at each other and shrugged. It was well known around Hogwarts that try as he might, Neville just wasn't much good as a wizard. In their second year, he had commented once that he was practically a squib (person of magic blood, but with no magic ability) and while they had tried to comfort him, no one rushed too hard to disagree. "So what's going to happen to him?" Harry asked.
"His grandmother has hired private tutors to help him," Hermione said. "He'll stay at home and devote more time to magic studies and if he's caught up to where we are by the end of the year, he'll be able to come back in his fifth year."
"Poor guy," Ron murmured. "We've all seen his grandmother, and I wouldn't want to mess with her. She'll probably make him study sixteen hours a day."
Harry privately agreed, but Hermione sniffed. "It's not that bad. And from what Neville told me, she's hired some very competent wizards to help him. I wouldn't mind having a chance to study one-on-one with some of the best."
"He can't have the best, the best are already teaching here at Hogwarts," Ron said loyally.
"Except for the Defense Against The Dark Arts," Harry said. "We've had some bad ones in this lot."
"True enough," Hermione agreed. "Let's hope this year will be different. I have a feeling we're getting a decent teacher from reading the book he assigned."
Harry looked over at the staff table to see if the new professor was sitting there. Harry recognized everyone sitting there. "Either he's not here or Dumbledore has given in and given the job to Snape."
Ron's eyes widened. "Don't even joke like that, Harry. I can barely stand the man for potions, I don't need him for another class too."
"I don't think Dumbledore will allow him to do both," Hermione said, also studying the staff table. "So even if he did get the job, we'd then have to get another potions teacher."
"I think we should get a new Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and toss Snape in his dungeon and lock it up for good," Ron suggested. "Then Hogwarts might be perfect!"
Harry had to admit, that idea sounded rather appealing. To say Snape disliked Harry would be a gross understatement. To say Snape loathed him with a fierce passion was closer to the truth. And Harry returned the feelings tenfold.
Just as Harry's stomach was giving him a growling reminder that the cauldron cakes and other goodies he'd eaten on the train had been a few hours ago, the huge doors into the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall marched inside, leading the first years with her. Goku was among them; still looking cheerful, as if he thought the boat ride was a wonderful thing, even if he did look a bit damp and chilled. There was another older boy standing behind him, whom Harry recognized him by the hair as the boy from the train station. The one he thought Crabbe had have been talking about when he, Goyle and Malfoy were talking outside Harry's train compartment. Unlike Goku, this boy looked as if the boat ride had been a total insult to him. He stared straight ahead, his arms folded across his face. There was something in his manner that made Harry think he half expected someone to roll out a red carpet, so he wouldn't have to tread the floor like the rest of them did.
The other first years were looking subdued and frightened. Harry wondered if they had heard nasty tales about the sorting process. Ron had been terrified in his first year; Fred had told him he'd have to wrestle a troll. It seemed to almost be tradition in Hogwarts for older students not to tell brothers and sisters the real truth when it came to sorting. While the first years were looking at their feet and trying not to gaze around them, Goku was looking all over the place. When he saw Harry, Ron, and Hermione, his grin widened. "Hi guys!" he shouted, "We maaaade it!"
The three of them grinned and waved back.
Professor McGonagall marched up to the front and set up a three-legged stool. On top of that, she put a worn, well-patched old pointed hat with a tear just above the brim. The room became unearthly quiet as everyone stared at the hat. After a moment, the brim opened like a tiny mouth and began to sing:
Long ago when the world was newerWere four wizards with a vision
They met upon this very sight
And made a great decision.
For among all the magic users
There was a deep concern
"We need to build a place," They said
Where young wizards and witches may learn!
They built the mighty Hogwarts school
To fulfill this important need
And build four houses for the students
Where all had a chance to succeed.
In Ravenclaw the cleverest
Found their place to gather.
To Gryffindor the brave of heart
Were ones who truly mattered.
In Slytherin's house came all of those
Of cunning thought and deed.
To Hufflepuff only the loyal and hard working
Would have a chance to succeed.
For many years they picked their students
Till the four were old and grey
Then realized something must be done
When they would go away.
They thought about what would be best
And argued for many a day
Then Gryffindor took me off his head
And is rumored then to say
"We use our brains to pick the best,
But our brains won't be here forever
Unless we put some of ourselves in my hat!"
And they began to work together.
Thus I was born and still I am
Though they have long since gone
I've done the job for many a year
Deciding where all belong
So step right up and don't be shy
You don't have to feel alone
I'll tell you what you need to know
And where you will call home.
When the hat finished, everyone applauded but the stranger with the unusual hair. He just scowled as if being forced to listen to a singing hat was a terrific waste of time; time he could have put to much better uses. Goku cheered the most enthusiastically. "A singing hat!" he shouted, looking over at Harry. "Did you know the hat could sing? Wow, a singing hat!"
Everyone in the hall had their eyes on Goku, and then Harry, whose face flushed a brilliant scarlet at having all this attention drawn to him. However, Goku was looking so happy and delighted, Harry didn't have the heart to not answer. "Yes," he said, as quiet as he could, but still enough to be heard. "I knew the hat could sing."
"Well, why didn't you tell me about that?" Goku asked.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat loudly and stared at Goku. "If you are finished, I would like to speak."
Goku grinned. "Fine by me, I'm done."
She looked at Goku, her lips pursed, but Harry would have sworn there was a faint sparkle in her eyes as well. Some of the first years looked slightly more relaxed as well. Professor McGonagall opened up a long scroll. "As I call out your names, you will come forward to be sorted!"
"Ackerly, Stewart."
A young boy ran up and pulled the hat over his head. The hat hesitated briefly then announced, "RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaw table cheered as Steward ran to join them.
"Baddock, Malcolm!"
The boy with the strange hair whipped around suddenly, as if he expected to see someone. When he saw the young, sandy haired boy heading for the stool, he breathed a sigh of relief. Obviously, Malcom wasn't what he expected, and Harry concluded that was probably a good thing.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Banstone, Eleanor!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Cauldwell, Owen!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Two puffs in a row," Ron whispered into Harry's ear. Harry put his hand over his mouth to stifle the sudden chuckle.
"Crabbe, Vegeta!"
Not surprising at all to Harry, the young man with the unusual hair stepped forward, his lips curled into a sneer.
"He's a Crabbe," Ron whispered. "And just look at him. If you fed him boiling water, he'd probably spit ice cubes. Wanna take a bet where he'll end up?"
Harry shook his head. "No bets needed."
Vegeta didn't rush, or hesitate. Walking tall and proud, he walked up to the stool. Professor McGonagall motioned to the stool, holding the hat. He shook his head and before she could say anything, he took the hat from her and standing up, drew it over his head.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat shouted.
"Tell us something we didn't know," Ron whispered. Harry snickered.
Vegeta whipped of the hat as if he couldn't get rid of it fast enough, and handed it back to Professor McGonagall, who did not look happy at the whole situation. He then walked regally over to the Slytherin table, as if he was doing them an enormous favor by being in their house. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle came forward to congratulate him. "Good job!" Draco said, slapping him on the back.
Vegeta's eyes narrowed and he stared at Draco as if trying to kill him with a look. "I'll let that go, this time," he snapped, "but don't touch me again, got it?"
Draco started to say something, but as he was looking at Vegeta's face, something happened in his own, that Harry could see. Vegeta rattled Malfoy in much the same fashion Goku had when they were all on the train. Draco swallowed hard. "Whatever you say," he said, trying to sound as if he couldn't care less.
"That's right." Vegeta nodded as if Draco was a rather stupid puppy who managed to perform an easy trick. He sat down in an empty seat, his arms crossed over his chest.
Harry noticed that even the other Slytherins around him shifted in their chairs as if they weren't sure they wanted to be close to their new, "brother."
Meanwhile, the sorting continued. Dennis Creevey was made the first Gryffindor of the year, which made Colin very happy. And got young Dennis so excited that he almost forget to return the hat in his haste to join his brother.
Harry's stomach growled again. Ron looked at him and nodded. "I sure hope this doesn't take all night. I'm starving too."
Madley, Lara was made a Hufflepuff. McDonald, Natalie became the next Gryffindor. Harry watched the line get smaller.
"Prichard, Graham!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Quirk, Orla!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
The doors into the hall burst opened and someone strode into the hall, mindless of the ceremony taking place. Hermione turned to look first, then kicked Harry under the table. "Look!" she said, pointing.
Harry took his attention away from "Randolph, Roberts" sorting and looked towards the door. A man was coming in, wearing a pair of leather pants and dragon hide boots, but instead of a cloak, he wore a long, black trench coat. Harry recognized him immediately. "It's the guy from the creature shop!"
Ron turned to look as well. "Wow! It is!"
The stranger said nothing, merely moved and walked over to the staff table as if he had no clue that he was interrupting anything, and even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. Harry watched as he and Dumbledore greeted each other, then he sat down."Wow, I wonder what he's doing here?" Ron asked.
"Don't be dense," Hermione whispered, looking at the stranger. "It's obvious."
"It is?"
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'll bet he's the new Defense Against The Dark Art teacher."
Harry had been thinking the very same thing. It was obvious, by the way he handled the owl/vampire that he had some experience with Dark Arts and those who practiced them. "I wonder if he'll be difficult," he whispered.
The three of them looked at the stranger. Being inside Hogwarts hadn't seemed to improve his disposition. Harry had the distinct impression he and Ron had better work hard in his class. He looked like he would tolerate nothing else.
"Son, Goku!"
They turned their attention back to the sorting. Goku ran up to the stool and sat, eager as a puppy. "Go ahead!"
The hat was placed on his head. There was silence, and then Goku spoke. "Wow, you can speak when I'm wearing you too!" he cried. "This is so great. I've never met a singing and talking hat."
More silence until finally the hat spoke, but not to announce his house. Instead, the hat said, "Will you stop it? I can't tell where you belong if you keep insisting on thinking silly questions to me!"
"I'm sorry!" Goku chirped, deciding that since the hat was speaking out loud, he should too. "But I-I've never talked to a hat before. I have so many questions!"
Almost everyone was smiling and a few people were chuckling. The only ones who didn't seem at all amused by this exchange were Vegeta, the new teacher, and Snape. Harry could see the anger in Snape eyes and was glad to see that for once, it wasn't directed at him.
"Enough!" The hat ordered sternly. "Be still!"
"Okay!" Goku stopped talking, but continued to fidget on the stool.
The hat seemed to forget that it was speaking out loud and continued in the same way. "You're loyal and hardworking, that's for sure. Perhaps it should be HUFF-"
Then the hat stopped. Everyone stared. It was unusual enough that the hat was talking loud enough for all to hear while sorting, but to be talking loudly and then to stop in the middle of assigning a house, well, which was just… impossible.
"No, I see other things in you, young Goku. Yes, I do," the hat continued. "Maybe Hufflepuff isn't for you after all."
Harry thought about the incident on the train and the look of cold fury in Goku's eyes when he was facing down Malfoy and his gang. I hope it isn't Slytherin, he thought.
"Yes, you'd do good in Hufflepuff, but I do believe you'll do even better in - GRYFFINDOR!"
Harry exhaled sharply, realizing he had been holding his breath. He, Ron, and Hermione began to cheer. Goku let out a loud whoop of pure joy. "Thanks, hat!" he shouted. "I wanted to be with my new friends!" He took the hat off, and put it on the stool, giving it an affectionate pat, then ran down to join the Gryffindor table, where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the twins greeted him warmly.
"That was great," Goku said, as he settled down at the table. "I'm glad it picked Gryffindor." He looked around the table, and then frowned. "But I sure hope food is coming soon. I'm starved!" As if wanting to second the motion, his stomach let out an enormous rumble that was heard through the entire hall.
The number of first years was dwindling rapidly. Finally, after Whitby, Kevin was sorted into Hufflepuff, Professor McGonagall rolled up the scroll and the hat and stool were taken away.
Professor Dumbledore stood up, smiling. "I've heard stomachs rumbling," he said, looking over at Goku with a twinkle in his eyes. "So I won't bore you words other than these. Dig in!"
The plates in front of them filled instantly and magically with a mouthwatering display of dishes. Everyone cheered and followed Dumbledore's advice to the fullest.
While they were eating, Harry looked over at the Slytherin house and saw Vegeta staring at him with a look of pure venom. Harry's eyes widened in surprise; was he still upset about him getting his book bag? Then, he realized it wasn't himself Vegeta was staring at; it was Goku.
Harry looked at Goku, to see if there was something different about him that might have upset Vegeta. Nothing seemed to be amiss and Goku himself was shoveling food into his mouth so fast that he hadn't noticed anyone trying to stare him down.
Harry nudged Goku to get his attention. "Do you know anyone over at the Slytherin table?" he asked. "I mean, besides Malfoy and his morons?"
Goku looked over to the table, his mouth still full of roast beef and looked around as he chewed. "Nope. Never seen any of them in my life," he cheerfully informed him. "Well, I saw some of them on the boats on the way over, but none of them were in my boat, so I didn't really talk to any of them. Are Malfoy and his friends really morons? I mean, I know they're mean, but morons too?"
Harry shrugged in answer to the question, and looked over at Vegeta. He was no longer looking their way, but filling his own plate to overflowing as if eating was all that mattered to him. Harry frowned, wondering if he had imagined that look of cold, hatred? He didn't think it was that likely.
"Harry, aren't you going to eat?"
It was Nearly Headless Nick, the resident ghost of Gryffindor asking. Harry smiled and dug in. It did look too good to pass up. He'd worry about Vegeta's dislike of Goku later. It might be something as simple as Goku's childish behavior over the sorting hat.
Nick sighed. "You never stop missing it, you know."
Harry nodded politely. Sometimes it bothered him that during many meals, Nearly Headless Nick had a habit of pointing out that he couldn't eat. But Harry was too hungry to care tonight. He started taking plates and helping himself to more.
Goku was in heaven, filling his plate over and over again. "Wow, this is almost as good as your house!" he commented to Ron. "The plates fill even faster!"
Everyone at the table was beginning to watch Goku eat. Several were trying not to be obvious about it, but a few were staring blatantly, some even pointing. Goku didn't seem to even notice. His whole being was concentrated on eating.
"Rule number one," Ron said to Harry, "Don't get your fingers too close when Goku is eating."
Harry laughed. Goku turned to Ron and said, "I'fe onwy biffen 'omeone's fingers once. It waf an affident." Which made everyone sitting near him laugh.
When the feast finally ended, and the plates and silverware were magiked away, Dumbledore stood up. The buzz of voices stopped abruptly and everyone turned their attention to him. He smiled.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, one and all!" he announced, his arms spreading out before him.
Everyone broke into a round of applause. Even the first years had stopped looking nervous and were beginning to look as if they were finally feeling comfortable.
"I have a few announcements to make," Dumbledore continued. "First and foremost, those who have just arrived here should know that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all. "
"Why?" Goku asked, quite loudly. Hermione scowled and Ron kicked him under the table. "Hey!" Goku cried, looking startled and emotionally hurt, "I was just asking!"
"Because it's a dangerous place for those who are unfamiliar with it," Dumbledore explained, looking at Goku with an expression of amused exasperation, as if he understood completely, that Goku couldn't help doing these things, but also found it a bit annoying as well. "And Goku, if you have any other questions, I will ask that you wait until a later time to ask them. I will be happy to speak to you, tomorrow in my office, if you wish."
"Okay, thanks!" Goku grinned cheerfully. "I really appreciate it." Several students laughed.
Harry looked up and saw Vegeta staring at Goku again, with that same look of cold hatred he had been giving him after his sorting. He nudged Ron with his foot and whispered, "look over there."
Ron looked up and over at the Slytherin table, trying to do it casually, as if he wasn't doing it deliberately, but just happened to be looking that way. When he saw Vegeta, his eyes widened for a moment, then he turned to Harry. "That guy has issues with Goku, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, from the looks of it, he does," Harry agreed. "But Goku doesn't know him."
"Knowing Goku, he might have met him before and forgotten him," Ron said, honestly, if not exactly complimentary.
"True." It was a possibility, but Harry figured it was a slim one.
Dumbledore had moved on to reading off the new list of forbidden objects. As usual, Flitch seemed to have spent his summer finding as many things students might enjoy and promptly banning them. Harry listened with half an ear. He didn't own many magical games and toys, so this usually wasn't a problem.
"…and, while it is not forbidden," Dumbledore continued, "The playing of Muggles The Unaware, is will only be allowed if all school work is done. Anyone caught violating that rule will have their deck confiscated." Dumbledore finished reading off the list by letting them know that it would be posted in its entirety outside of Filches room.
"On to happier subjects," he continued, "Quidditch try-outs will be held in two weeks. Anyone interested in playing for their house should contact their head of house for further information."
Ron grinned, bouncing in his seat a couple of times. "That's for me!" he whispered. "Quidditch try-outs. Sure hope I can get in."
"Relax, you're a great Chaser," Fred said. "They'll be nuts not to use you."
"And now," Professor Dumbledore began, the stopped abruptly, as a scratching sound was heard on the doors leading into the hallway. He looked over at Hagrid, with an expression of annoyance. "Please don't tell me-"
"No!" Hagrid exclaimed quickly. "I tied 'im up'n ever'thin'! Use a bran' new chain!" The scratching was being replaced by a loud banging, as if someone was pounding something with the weight of a cannonball on the door. All the professors were looking at Hagrid with various degrees of annoyed on their faces as the banging became louder and louder. Turning red, Hagrid rose to his feet. "I'll go an'-"
Before he could finish the sentence, both of the huge doors, flew open with such force that they banged into the walls behind them, and the right door's latch went tumbling to the floor. Harry had the impression of something huge, green, and fury come leaping in, moving so fast it was just a blur, racing up the isle, between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff table. As it ran past, Harry could feel the wind the motion created.
Whatever it was, it ran to the staff table, leaped on top, upsetting many glasses, and then leaped onto Hagrid, knocking him to the floor, where it then proceeded to leap down and on top of him.
Having pinned Hagrid to the floor, the creature stopped moving, so Harry got his first good look at it. It was about the size of a full-grown St. Bernard, but if this was a dog, it was like no dog Harry had ever set eyes on. It was indeed fury and a brilliant emerald green. The body was fuller and rounded in the middle, with shorter legs than seemed possible. The tail was thick close to the body, then tapering off to a fine tip, which wagged proudly and furiously. The head was elongated, with a jaw that reminded him of an alligator or even-
"A dragon!" Ron muttered, putting to words exactly what Harry had been thinking, "My god, it's a furry, green, dragon! How can Dumbledore allow him to have a dragon?"
"Wow, neat!" Goku exclaimed. "I've never seen a fluffy dragon before! I wish I could pet it, but I'll bet I shouldn't ask right now."
"No, ask him tomorrow when you go talk to him in his office," Ron suggested.
"I don't think that's a dragon," Hermione said, staring thoughtfully at the animal, which was happily licking Hagrid's face and making terrible, slurping noises. "I don't know what-" she began, then snapped her fingers. "It's a Dragedon!"
"A what?" Ron asked.
"Howard, g'toff me, ya big brute!" Hagrid was saying loudly, but with great affection, as he attempted to wrestle the beast off him. "Ya know better than t'be here! Yer suppose t'be back at th'cottage!"
"Dragedon," Hermione continued, nodding. "I read about them in the complete encyclopedia of magical creatures. Very rare, but not illegal. Supposedly, crossing a dog with a dragon first created them, but now breeding a male dragedon to a female makes them. Which makes them a separate species. However, they are a bit picky about which they breed with, and even more particular about creating offspring, which explains why they're rare. They're supposedly very loyal and loveable to their masters and whomever their masters consider to be friend and family, but fiercely territorial and protective as well. And, as I said, quite rare. I wonder how Hagrid was able to get his hands on one? It must have cost him a fortune, for one so young."
"Young?" Ron gasped, then repeated "Young? He's going to grow bigger?"
"Oh yes," Hermione said, still watching as Hagrid managed to separate himself from Howard and rise to his feet. Howard pranced around him, leaping up and trying to lick his face some more. "A full grown dragedon is a little bigger than a draft horse."
"Wonderful," Ron muttered. "A giant spider, a three headed dog, a dragon, and now a Dragon dog. What next?" Harry's thoughts were quite close to Ron's. Hagrid's love of monsters, the more dangerous the better, was well known. He hoped, for everyone's sake, that Hermione was right about the loyal and loveable part. Howard looked as if he could bite Harry's arm off without pause.
"Hagrid, you cannot keep allowing Howard to escape," Dumbledore was saying. "This is the fifth time today. You almost didn't make it to the train station."
"I'm tryin' Professor," Hagrid said, as he pushed Howard's front paws off his chest. "But 'e's so strong, 'e keeps breakin' th'chains."
"Never-the-less, we can't have him constantly interrupting the running of this school," Albus continued. Hagrid looked so miserable at this that Dumbledore sighed. "Well, tomorrow, I will come down and see if we can't figure out some solution. Perhaps Professor McGonagall can help us create a stronger chain. Transmogrified diamond might be strong enough."
Professor McGonagall's expression suggested that it might be a better idea to tie a rock around Howard's neck and toss him into the lake. But she merely nodded to Professor Dumbledore.
"Good. Now Hagrid, if you would be so kind as to bring Howard back to your cottage so we can finish the meeting?" Dumbledore asked, his good nature restored, now that he was sure a solution would be found. "I understand if you can't return this evening."
Hagrid nodded and started walking out the hall. Howard followed, running around him, frisking and leaping the entire time, as if Hagrid were a long lost brother he hadn't seen in about a million years. "C'mon 'oward," Hagrid muttered. "C'mon, let's get ye' back t'the cottage!"
They left the hall together. Once they were gone, Dumbledore smiled, his eyes twinkling. "I'm sorry, I didn't give a more formal introduction. That was Howard, Hagrid's new friend. He's very friendly, but unfortunately, well, let's just say he's not the brightest Galleon in the vault." Almost everyone laughed. Snape and Filch looked completely disgusted.
With order restored, Dumbledore continued his announcements. "I would like to introduce you to our new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher." He motioned to the stranger in the trench coat. "Everyone, I'd like you to give a warm welcome to Professor Daikon." He motioned to the stranger, who rose to his feet briefly and nodded, then sat down. His expression was completely emotionless.
Goku looked at him and gasped. "That's the guy who killed the vampire owl!" he whispered. Hermione, Harry, and Ron tried not to laugh. It had taken him this long to notice?
"He has worked as an Auror for the Ministry of Magic and done similar things in other countries for many years." Dumbledore continued his introduction. "And, since he often has to live among Muggles, he will also be teaching the special course in understanding the ways of Muggles, which many of you will be taking this year."
There was a small, but noticeable groan about the hall, coming primarily from the students who knew they would have to take this new class, on top of all their others. Professor Daikon looked around the room, eyes narrowing briefly, which brought it to a fast stop. No sense in getting on a teacher's bad side before the first class.
"I'm sure you'll all do your best to make Professor Daikon feel welcome here." Dumbledore said. At this, everyone burst into a polite round of applause. Professor Daikon did not look fooled at all by this, but just looked around at everyone.
"He's gonna be lots of fun," Fred muttered.
Ron smirked. "I wouldn't set off any dungbombs in his class if I were you."
"Well," George said, optimistically. "He can't be worse than Snape."
Privately, Harry agreed, but found that thought to be of little comfort.
Dumbledore ended his welcoming speech with a brief pep talk about how he hope that everyone would do well in the coming year, then suggested they all go to bed. The students made their way out of the Great Hall and to their separate houses.
The Gryffindors gathered by the portrait a fat lady, wearing a pink dress. Goku pushed his way towards the front and waved. "Hi lady!"
"Password?" She asked.
"You're very large," Goku continued. "I like your dress."
"Password?" she repeated, a bit more stern.
George pushed his way forward through the crowd of waiting students. "I know the password!" he called out, "a prefect told me." The other students were much more willing to let him get by with that information. He stopped in front of the portrait.
"Password?" The large lady said, for the third time in less than three minutes. She didn't seem very amused.
"Balderdash," George said. The portrait swung open, reveling the hole that they all climbed through, which took them right into the common room. A fire crackled, warm and inviting in the fireplace. The same, comfortable, overstuffed, armchairs were there. Goku immediately leaped onto one and bounced several times. "Squishy!" he proclaimed, "and bouncy too! Wheee!"
Hermione smiled indulgently to him, then wished everyone a good night and went to the stairwell that lead to the girls dorm. Harry and Ron waited a bit for Goku, and then finally told him that he would have plenty of time this year to check out the chairs further, and perhaps they should go to bed instead.
"Oh, right!" Goku said, leaping from the chair to follow him. They walked up the last spiral staircase to the top of their tower, where their room was located. Seamus and Dean were already up there, because they hadn't had to wait for Goku to finish bouncing on the chairs. Dean had even hung up his poster of the West Ham football team, and both of them were in their pajamas and sliding into bed.
"This is a funny world," Goku commented. "Everyone gets dressed in special clothing, just to go to bed." He looked around the room, until he saw his trunk at the end of the bed that Neville had used. "Is this where I'll sleep?" he asked.
The other four boys looked at each other for a moment. Harry swallowed hard. It seemed somehow… faintly wrong to have Neville's bed being used. Why? he wondered, it isn't as if Neville is dead. If he comes back next year, we'll just move another bed in.
"Well, is it?" Goku asked again. He was standing near the bed, looking ready to pounce on it, but waiting until he was given the okay.
Seamus and Dean shrugged first, looking away from Ron and Harry. Ron kept his gaze on Harry for a moment, then finally looked away and shrugged as well. Gee, leave it to me, Harry thought, and then looked over at Goku. "Of course it's your bed! Your trunk is there, isn't it?"
"I just wanted to make sure!" Goku cried, leaping on the four-poster bed, which looked identical to the other beds in the room. He landed square in the middle and bounced up and down a couple of times. "This is perfect!" he cried. "Nice and bouncy, but not too squishy. I don't like to sleep on something too squishy, but bouncy is just fine!"
All four boys exhaled sharply, not even realize they had been holding their breath while Goku leaped on the bed. In the three years they had shared the room with Neville, they had all at various times sat on his bed for various reasons such as to play cards, or to talk. And they had all noted one thing about Neville; he liked a soft, squishy bed, the softer and squishier the better. It might have been the same frame, but the mattress had been changed, which made it seem less like Neville's bed and therefore, less like Goku was replacing Neville.
Goku leaped from the bed and began tearing off his clothes, throwing them in a pile on to the floor. When he was stripped down to his underwear, he leaped into bed. "Ooo!" he murmured as he settled in. "Warm and cozy! No chilly sheets!"
Harry and Ron finished changing into their pajamas and slid into bed themselves. The beds were comfortably warm, which was quite nice. Harry curled up on his side, ready to do some serious sleeping.
Harry, Ron, Seamus, and Dean all drifted off to sleep listening to Goku snoring.
End Chapter Seven
Author's notes: There is a wonderful illustration to this story, which was done by Sabrebabe. (sabrebabe@chartermi.net) It can be found here: http://doghouse.la.ca.us/~darqstar/otherfandoms/hpdbz/graphics/goksort.html Check it out. If you like it, email the artist and let her know, okay? I want to encourage her.
Also, a lot of folks have left comments. Thank you. It's really appreciated. I've tried to respond to all of you, but if you never got a "thank you" from me, it's because your mail got returned to me with the "no such user" message, or I didn't have an email address for you. I just don't want anyone to think I'm not appreciating that you're taking the time to leave comments.
It might be awhile before the next update. I've got stuff written, but my proofreader (who is a wonderful human being and does have a life she should be allowed to lead) hasn't gotten it back to me. Once she gets it to me, I'll get it up when I can.