A/N: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, I would not be writing this story and begging for reviews. I would be swimming in a pool filled with jello.

The Heir

Chapter 4

The Sorting

Harry relayed to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny his feelings of discomfort when speaking to Holden on the way up to the castle. Ginny seemed concerned. Ron seemed confused. Hermione didn't buy it. What else was new?

" Really, Harry, we can trust him. He's a teacher and a member of the Order, like us."

" So was Snape," Harry muttered darkly. "Listen, Hermione, studying Legilimency has heightened my awareness of people. I can tell how strong a witch or wizard is and how much good or evil they have in them. His power is so strong I can't even get near enough to him to even read him. But I get the distinct impression of Dark magic. There's almost a smell about him it's so thick." Hermione did not argue any more, but seemed rather put out. She did not say another word until they reached the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was in its finest. Thousands of floating candles were lit around the room. The ceiling showed the clear autumn sky. At the staff table, Professor McGonagall was sitting in the middle chair where Harry had seen Dumbledore sit so many times before. He realized now how much he had taken for granted with Dumbledore. He tried to shake his head of the thought as Professor Flitwick, the new Deputy Headmaster led the trembling first years into the hall. Harry almost laughed as he saw Thomas, Holden, and Gabrielle, Fleur's little sister at the back of the line. Thomas was talking animatedly with some of the new students, including Gabrielle. Whatever the conversation was, he sure was into it. His hands were all over the place making wild motions that Harry doubted he could understand if he were listening to the actual conversation. Holden was watching the entire seen as if he was bored.

Professor Flitwick started reading the names of the first years. "Alice Aferton" became a Ravenclaw. The next student "Matthew Bolton" became the first Gryffindor. It went on and on until there were only the two new seventh years and Gabrielle left. Professor McGonagall stood and made a motion with her hands to indicate that the students should be quiet. Silence quickly fell over the hall. " I would like to introduce the entire student body to our three new students. Gabrielle Delacour is the sister-in-law of former Head Boy Bill Weasley and sister of Fleur Delacour, who all you older students remember from the Triwizard Tournament. She joins us from Beauxbaton Academy. We also have two new seventh years who join us from the Marleaux Wizarding School in the southeastern United States, located in the swamps of Louisiana, outside of New Orleans. In addition to their studies Mr. Shockley will be teaching Transfiguration and Mr. Holden will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. They will now be sorted."

Gabrielle went first. She was a greenish color as she placed the Sorting Hat on her head. It seemed to think for a few moments before shouting "Gryffindor." She took off the hat, positively beaming, and took a seat next to Ginny at the Gryffindor table. Harry decided to read Gabrielle and found that she was mostly good, but with a thick vein of evil, thick enough to rival the twins. He thought of the promise he had made with Mr. Delacour- it would not be hard finding someone who would be interested in Gabrielle. It would be nearly impossible, however, finding someone who would not drool in her presence. As he looked around, the entire male Gryffindor population seemed to hang on every word she said in the conversation she was having with Ginny. Ron, who was sitting closest to her, had his mouth wide open and was shoveling air into it with his fork. This was especially odd because their supper had not even appeared yet.

Thomas was next. He sat on the stool for about twenty seconds before the hat shouted "Gryffindor." He immediately jumped down from the stool and proceeded to run around the room, waving his arms around wildly as if he had just scored the winning goal for England. This would have been funny in itself, but the humor was multiplied ten fold by the fact that the Sorting Hat was still covering his eyes. His celebration only ended when he tripped over the stool the Hat was supposed to be placed on. He stood up quickly, not a hint of embarrassment on his face. He took off the Hat, and ran down the aisle between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables, giving high-fives to anyone who was willing. Harry swore he saw McGonagall mutter " What have I gotten myself into?" Holden walked forward with a loping grace that did not fit his size. He stood the stool upright and sat down serenely. The hat had barely touched his head before yelling "Slytherin." McGonagall turned quickly to Hagrid, her eyes wide with shock. Thomas, who was sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table, looked as if someone had punched him in the gut. Holden stood and flashed his disturbing smile at Thomas, mouthing "Told ya." he took his place at the Slytherin table in between Pansy and Crabbe, both of whom seemed a little intimidated. They leaned away from Holden and seemed to have trouble continuing their previous conversation.

Professor McGonagall started off the feast with the usual start-of-term speech. All products from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes were still banned, as were love potions, which Professor McGonagall said they would now be taking special precautions against after last years "incident." Thomas, upon hearing this, yelled at the top of his voice " That is one story I have got to hear." The students snickered appreciatively until McGonagall gave them a stern look. She gave the rest of her speech and the students were allowed to eat.

Harry looked to the end of the table where Thomas was regaling Parvati and Lavender with an obviously funny story involving a Muggle riding lawn mower. They were giggling even more than usual. They were obviously taken with the new professor. Harry turned around to see Holden deep in conversation with the Bloody Baron. Even the ghost seemed to shrink away from him slightly. Harry did not trust this new teacher. Not at all.

Harry stayed with Ron and Hermione, who were showing Thomas the way to Gyffindor tower. Hermione was asking Thomas questions about where he came from. "Marleaux is in Louisiana, right. I have heard that that area is filled with magical beings. Even some of the Muggles know magic, don't they."

"Oh, yes, the area around the school is steeped in Voodoo tradition. It is a powerfully magical area. The swamps are filled to the brim with magical creatures. Some are pretty dangerous. Kind of like the Forbidden Forest is here. I think Holden's the only one stupid enough to go in there. Or, rather, powerful enough."

"So what is it like to live in an area so overflowing with magic?"

" Well, I've never actually been around the area much myself. Just the plantation grounds. Now, the plantation, that's a magical place right there."

"So, you don't live in Louisiana."

"Nah, me and Holden's from out in the boondocks of Mississippi. Marleaux's just the closest school. There's one in Tennesse, but that's a bit too far."

"So, are you and Holden friends?" It was Harry asking this question.

"Oh yeah. I've known Holden my entire life. He only lives 'bout a minute down the road."

When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady, Thomas stopped, turning to Harry. "Can I have a word with you before we step inside?" Harry agreed, and Thomas led him a little bit down the corner. "I don't know if that Lupin fella' told you, but Holden and I were asked to come here to help train and protect you for this war. We were both supposed to be in Gryffindor," his face started to turn a pinkish color. "Lupin said that since he figured we would both be in Gryffindor, it would be better if we got sorted, so as not to draw even more attention to ourselves. Holden tried to tell us he wouldn't be a Gryffindor and it would ruin the plan. But we just assumed, knowing him..."

" I could have told you he would be in Slytherin the first five seconds I met him. There's something dodgy about him. There's a darkness to him."

"Of course there's a darkness to him! He's one of the scariest fucks I ever met. But he's a noble guy, really. He'd give his worst enemy the shirt off his back if they really needed it. As long as they weren't Muggleborn."

" Don't tell me the Order has sent someone that might as well be a Death Eater to train me to fight Voldemort!" Harry was impressed that Thomas did not flinch at the name, but it was not his main concern at the moment.

" He's not a Death Eater. He hates Voldemort, Holden. More than anyone I've ever met. He just thinks that those that are purebloods are naturally better than those that aren't. But he doesn't really hate anyone. Look at me. I'm one of his best friends, and I'm a half-blood. Don't go judging him before you get to know him."

Harry doubted he would ever like Holden. "Anyway, good night, Harry. I've got a class first thing in the morning. First years," he said rolling his eyes humorously. Before he could get to the portrait hole, however, Harry stopped him.

" Hey, Gabrielle Delacour, you're not affected by her are you?"

"Should I be?"

"Yeah, she's part-Veela. Anyway, if you're really not affected by her, then maybe I could set you two up on a date sometime. Maybe the first Hogsmeade weekend?"

Thomas contemplated this for a moment. "Well, I'm probably a fool to turn down a date with a Veela, but I got to. Got a girlfriend back in the States who wouldn't like that too much. Anyways, are you the Boy Who Sets Up Dates, now? Wait, wait- The Chosen Matchmaker. No! The One Who Conquered the Blind Date." Thomas laughed heartily at his own joke.

"Good night, Thomas."

" See you tomorrow then." As Thomas retreated through the portrait, a more familiar face came down the corridor. Harry grabbed Ginny and wrapped her in his arms.

"Rough day, Harry."

"Why do you say that?"

" Cause I'm about to lose the ability to say anything if you keeping holding me this tight." Harry snorted and released her slowly, staring into her chocolate eyes.

"Come on, lets get inside while we can."

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