Loyalty Knows No Bounds Year 1
Author: xoxWolfGirlxox
Rating T (to be safe)
Disclaimer: In no way, shape, or form do I own Harry Potter. The sorting song the cannon houses and anything else you recognize in this chapter is taken directly from Sorcerer's Stone, which I don't own.
Summary Left at an orphanage by the Dursley's, Harry is adopted into a family whose loyalty to each other knows no bounds. What will people do when they realize that Harry isn't the Gryffindor lion they expected?
Reviews are, as always greatly appreciated.
A/N2: This chapter has been edited and reposted (9/14/08) along with every other chapter in the story. The formatting had been drastically changed so it should be easier to read but very little of the plot has changed. Just the format and some grammatical and spelling issues I saw after reading it again. A new chapter will be coming out soon I just wanted to do this first to get back into the story. Thanks for not giving up on me you guys are great!
Chapter 5: The Shocking Sorting
o the story. Thanks for not giving up on me you guys are greatFor probably the first time in his whole life Harry Alden was up early without anyone forcing him to be. It was September first and Harry's nerves had woken him up.
Today's the day, the day I start a whole new life in a way. He thought.
I'm going into a world where I don't even exist, only Harry Potter exists.
He sat on his bed so deep in thought he didn't notice his sister quietly open the door into his room and come in. She sat down on the bed next to him.
" You worried too Harry?" she asked softly.
"How did you …"
"Know" she finished for him.
" One reason, I know you, another reason, because I'm nervous to." She told him.
"Conflicting emotions suck don't they," he said bluntly.
"I'm so happy and excited to be going away but I'm also so nervous Why?" he asked her.
" I don't know Harry, maybe because we have never really been that far from Mom and Dad, maybe because we are trying something so new to us, or even maybe because we feel we have something to prove." She wisely said.
"Listen, I'm not going to tell you not to be nervous because then I'd be a hypocrite. Just know that you are never alone Harry, never alone because you will always have me." Kayla told him.
"You will always have me to Kayla. Maybe we will be nervous, but it won't stop us from having fun at school and being the people we know we can be." he told her.
She laughed and asked, " When did you get so smart?"
"Probably around the same time as you," he retorted.
His reply earned him a smack on the head from his sister but also a small laugh.
"Why don't we finish packing and I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast in 30 minutes" she suggested.
"Sure" Harry said.
Kayla got up and left the room walking down the short hall to her own bedroom to finish packing. Harry looked at the door his sister had left through.
He sighed and turned towards his owl, Artemis, " I still don't know how she can read me like a book, but I don't know what I would do without her." He told her. Little did he know that across the hall the same thing was being said only to a different owl.
Breakfast was eaten, trunks packed, owls were caged, and the clock struck 10'o clock, it was time to go. Mr. Alden loaded everything into the van and they were off. His expert driving that morning got the Alden family to Kings Cross Station at 10:30, plenty of time to get on the train.
" How do we get to platform 9 and ¾ Mom?" Kayla asked.
"Well, see the barrier between platforms 9 and 10?"
Kayla responded with a nod.
"Well you walk through that barrier and it will put you on platform 9 and ¾.
"Your kidding right Mom?" Harry questioned.
"Nope," she said cheerfully, "Just go, and run through the barrier if you're nervous."
Harry looked at Kayla and Kayla at him, with a confirming nod they both grabbed their trolleys, which held their trunks and owls and took off at a run towards the barrier between 9 and 10. Harry braced himself for a crash but it didn't come, and when he opened his eyes the first thing he saw was one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen. A huge, red steam trail resting on he tracks, the words Hogwarts Express painted on in gold letters. He looked at his sister to find her also looking at the train in wonderment.
"Beautiful isn't it," their mother stated, "Well let's go put you're trunks on board and find you guys an empty compartment."
Harry and Kayla rushed to find a compartment and after they found one and got their trunks and owls settled they began the slightly painful process of saying goodbye to their parents. Many hugs and kisses were shared along with encouraging words. A whistle blew from the train and their mother told them to get on board.
With a last hug and kiss from each and a call of
" Be sure to write"
Mr. and Mrs. Alden let their kids go watching them until the train was out of sight.
Harry and Kayla sat in their empty compartment in silence for a few minutes before Kayla said, "We did it, we are on the train to Hogwarts."
"Pretty cool isn't it," Harry said.
Harry took a few moments to put cover up over his scar; this would at least ensure him a peaceful ride. The conversation from then on out was light and fun. They siblings were having a fun argument over which of their parents it was easier to get something from when they heard someone fumbling with the door to their compartment. The door opened to reveal a small brown haired girl dragging a large trunk.
"Do you mind if I sit here, everywhere else full?" she asked nervously.
Kayla smiled, "Sure the more the merrier, I'm Kayla Alden and this is my brother Harry, what's your name." she asked the new girl who had finished dragging in her trunk and sat down.
The girl smiled and said," Susan, Susan Bones, nice to meet you Kayla, Harry."
The threesome sat together trading stories about growing up. Susan was a pureblood who grew up in the magical world with little muggle influence. Harry and Kayla also found out that her Aunt Amelia was head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic. Growing up all around magic with little muggle influences, she was curious about the muggle world. Harry and Kayla were equally as curious about what growing up around magic was like. While trading stories the three became fast friends.
When the sweets trolley came in Harry, Kayla, and Susan pooled their money and bought a little bit of everything so Harry and Kayla could try all the types of wizarding candies. Harry picked up a box of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans and was about to pop a green one into his mouth when Susan stopped him.
"You want to be careful with those Harry, when they say every flavor they mean every flavor."
This news only proved to heighten Harry's curiosity so they spent the next half-hour sampling the beans. While some of the flavors were disgusting it was fun all the same. Harry and Kayla also tried Chocolate Frogs and were fascinated by the moving pictures on the cards.
The three were talking about Hogwarts when the door opened reveling a blonde haired boy along with two huge boys who flanked him on both sides like body guards.
He looked around the compartment and sneered slightly before saying in an arrogant tone, " I heard Harry Potter was down on this end of the train.
Harry said rather quickly, "I don't know any Harry Potter."
The blond haired boy's sneer deepened and he spat," How could you not know who Harry Potter is, what are you a filthy little mudblood."
While Harry didn't have the knowledge of what the word mudblood meant he knew enough to know when he was being insulted and was about to reply when Susan beat him to it.
" Why don't you keep you big mouth shut Malfoy, and while you at it do me a favor and buzz off!" she shouted at him as her hands curled into fists. While he gave her a superior sneering glare he did back up to the door and with a final glare left, slamming the door behind him. Harry smiled at Susan and thanked her for sticking up for him.
She smiled happily at him and said, "No one messes with my friends."
Kayla had a thoughtful look on her face and her eyes had not yet left the door where Malfoy had left.
She finally tore her gaze away from the door and asked Susan, " What's a mudblood?"
Susan sighed and explained," Mudblood is a really foul, awful name for someone who is muggle born, you know, has two non-magic parents. Some people think that think that to have pure blood makes you almost royalty. In reality there is really no difference between purebloods and muggleborns and besides if wizards hadn't married muggles we would have died out ages ago."
"Oh," Kayla said.
With their questions answered and Malfoy gone the rest of the trip passed without much interference.
As the sun set Harry left to go to the bathroom to change into his robes while the girls changed in the compartment. As he came back from the bathroom his nerves started acting up again and one look at the two girls told him he wasn't the only one who was getting nervous. The train began to stop and a voice was heard telling the students to leave their trunks and belongings on the train and that they would be taken up to Hogwarts later.
Harry, Kayla, and Susan got off the train but had no idea where to go until they heard a loud voice call " First Years over hear, come on now first years this way."
The voice, as they found out belonged to quite possibly the biggest man any of them had ever seen. The man directed them to get into small boats with no more then 4 to a boat. A tall lanky boy with red hair joined Harry, Kayla, and Susan in their boat. The boats then began to glide along the water, and for a while the threesome simply looked around and enjoyed the scenery.
It was the large man's voice that recaptured their attention.
" Hold on now and you will get your first view of Hogwarts in a minute."
As the boats went past a large low branch they saw it, probably, no the most spectacular sight they had ever seen. A huge castle settled away from the lake stood there in all its glory.
Harry looked at Kayla and asked," That's our school?"
Kayla grinned and said, "It would appear so."
Once all the boats hit the shore they got out and started the walk up to the castle. Once they got to the huge wooden doors the man raised a large fist and knocked 3 times. The large doors opened to reveal an older woman dressed in emerald green robes, her hair back in a bun. The same thought went through Harry and Kayla's minds; this was not a woman to cross.
"The first years Professor McGonagall." he told her.
"Thank You Hagrid." she replied.
She led the students into a large waiting room, and then turned to face them.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said "In a short while you will pass through these doors and join your classmates but first you must be sorted into you houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. While you are here you house will be like your family. You will eat, sleep, and attend classes with your chosen house. Triumphs will earn you points while any rule breaking will lose points. Wait here and I'll return when we are ready."
"Kayla," Harry said softly after the Professor left.
"Yeah," she replied.
" Do you feel your nerves coming back full force or is it just me?" He asked.
"It's not just you," she assured him.
They didn't have much time to sweat over nerves because Professor McGonagall came back and led them through the doors into a large room. There were 5 large tables, 4 with students and 1 with staff. The first years formed a sloppy line and waited. Professor McGonagall went to the front of the line holding a 3-legged stool and a frayed old hat. As soon as she set the hat down it opened it's brim like a mouth and began 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 than 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!"
"Abbott, Hannah!" Professor McGonagall called.
A small girl in pigtails went up and sat on the stool, once she had sat down Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head. While the sorting hat was thinking Kayla was cursing her father in as many ways as she could for having a last name that began with A.
Finally the hat decided and called out "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The 2nd table from the right erupted in cheers as the girl stepped down and joined them.
"Why did we have to have an A last name." Kayla complained softly.
"You, I have to go first out of us." Harry franticly told her.
Professor McGonagall looked at the scroll and called out "Alden, Harry!"
As Harry steeped up to the hat a dark haired professor stood up and said, " What are you doing, I'd know that frame and look anywhere that's Harry Potter not some Alden kid"
The glare he sent Harry's way made it obvious that he severely disliked him. Harry looked at the ground and tried to contain his anger, he was trapped, now people would find out. He turned and looked at his sister to find her sending the closest thing to a death glare he had ever seen at the dark haired professor.
"I'm afraid sir that I am not the Harry Potter you speak of, I have been Harry Alden since I was one year old." He said, the fury he was trying to keep in slightly appearing in his voice.
After he said it Harry heard the whispers of "He is Harry Potter.", "Why did he change his name?" , "What's going on?" and all other types of frustrating questions.
Albus Dumbledore looked down from his place at the center of the high table and asked Harry, "Mr. Potter why on earth have you changed your name surely the Dursley's wouldn't have given their permission to allow you to do so."
In a simultaneous motion both Harry and Kayla saw red at the exact same time and had the same thought running thought their heads
This is who left me or in Kayla's thought Harry at the Durselys's and they were the ones who abandoned me (Harry).
When Harry felt in control enough to speak he said," Alden sir, Mr. Alden and if it wouldn't be terribly inconvenient could I please just get sorted?"
Without waiting for an answer he sat on the stool and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on his head.
Well, well what a lot of commotion you have made Mr. Potter or should I say Alden.
"Alden," Harry immediately thought back to the hat.
Lets see then, smart yes there is intelligence and bravery oh yes quite brave and some cunning.
The hat waited a minute before speaking to Harry again.
However, you have so much loyalty in you, such unwavering loyalty to your friends, your parents, and especially your sister. I haven't seen such loyalty since Helga herself taught at this school. Your appreciation of hard work is noble as well. This will certainly cause commotion but there is only one house for you.
The hat then shouted the one word that no one in the Great Hall was expecting to hear. "HUFFLEPUFF!"
The 2nd table from the right roared its cheers, welcoming Harry to their house. Harry smiled, walked to the table and sat down opposite Hannah Abbott.
Professor McGonagall looked shocked as she stared at the hat and up at the head table Snape was shocked as well.
Albus Dumbledore however, paled He was supposed to be a Gryffindor like his parents, what happened, what possibly could have gone wrong.
Finally regaining her composure Professor McGonagall called the next name on the list "Alden, Kayla!"
Kayla strode up to the stool and sat down and when Professor McGonagall put the hat on her head, she jumped slightly as she heard it talking to her.
I don't need to look hard for you, just like your brother, loyalty like that I haven't seen since Helga herself. Again a healthy appreciation for hard work, your parents raised you well. Helga would've been proud to teach you and your brother. Ahh, I see a fear in you, you fear being separated from you brother. I can tell you two are quite close. Don't worry about being separating and let your loyalty shine together in "HUFFLEPUFF!"
With a sigh of relief she walked towards the now cheering table and sat down next to her brother.
"We did it," he said "The same house."
Kayla smiled and said, "Yup, together forever."
The siblings turned their heads towards the hat and watched the rest of their year get sorted.
"Bones, Susan" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Boot, Terry" "RAVENCLAW"
"Finch-Fletchley, Justin" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Granger, Hermione" "GRYFFINDOR"
"Jameson, Damien" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Longbottom, Neville" "GRYFFINDOR
"Macmillian, Ernie" "HUFFLEPUFF"
"Malfoy, Draco" "SLYTHERIN"
"Patil, Padma" "RAVENCLAW"
"Patil, Parvati" "GRYFFINDOR"
"Sagara, Katie" "HUFFLEPUFF
"Zabini, Blasie" "SLYTHERIN"
With the sorting over Professor Dumbledore stood up and addressed the students, welcoming them back to Hogwarts and officially starting the feast. Harry, Kayla and the other first year Hufflepuff students shared an amazed glance with each other before digging in.
Susan looked at Harry and asked him the question he was dreading, "Why didn't you say your were Harry Potter?"
Harry sighed and tried to think of the best way to explain it.
"I did not say I was because I'm not Harry Potter. Harry Potter died the day his so-called relatives abandoned him to a dismal fate at an orphanage. Harry Potter died the day my parents adopted me. That's why I didn't say I was Harry Potter because I'm really not him." He told her, desperately hoping she would at least not hate him and try to see it his way.
However, shocking him, she smiled and said, " That actually makes a lot of sense thanks for explaining it to me."
Hannah Abbott was the next to speak, " I'm sorry for all the stress this has put you under Harry, I mean all you want to do is be who you are and yet, no one wants to let you."
Harry started at them in complete amazement.
Kayla laughed at his expression and told the girls, "Don't mind him, I think he believed that no one would understand and be on his side and now that he realizes you are he's shocked."
The rest of the meal went by smoothly and Harry talked to his fellow first years, who all were also were quite understanding for as Susan told him, " We are all in this together, housemates, the first years of Hufflepuff. It's obvious that you want to be known as Harry Alden so that's who you will be known as to us. We aren't in the house of loyalty for no reason"
He met Hannah Abbott, Katie Sagara, Damien Jameson, Justin Finch-Fletchly, and Ernie Macmillian. They all were friendly and Harry and Kayla immediately felt at home. After desert was over Professor Dumbledore stood back up and gave some start of term notices.
He informed the kids to
"Not wander into the Forbidden Forest",
" Not use magic in the corridors", and "That Quidditch tryouts are next week"
It was his last announcement that shocked the school; "The third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds for all who do not wish to die a most painful death"
Harry and Kayla shared a glance before Harry leaned forward and asked an older student, " Is he serious?"
"Yeah, he is, it's strange though, normally he tells us why we can't go somewhere." Cedric Diggory, a fourth year replied.
His attention was drawn back to Professor Dumbledore as he said, " Now let us sing the school song!"
After his announcement he ignored the less-than-pleased look his colleagues were sporting and with a flick of his wand words appeared as the school started to sing its odd song. Harry and Kayla got a wicked look on their faces and to those who knew them, knew it meant nothing but trouble. They began to bellow the school song using the wedding march as a tune. Soon it was only them and a pair of red haired twins who were, interestingly enough, singing to the funeral march.
The twins gave the Alden siblings an approving look and two thumbs up. Harry and Kayla smiled meticulously at them and gave them two thumbs up in return. Professor Dumbledore conducted their last few lines and when they finished he was the one who clapped the loudest, along with the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students who were laughing at the antics of their housemates.
"Ah music, a magic beyond all we teach here and now bedtime, off you trot.
"First years follow me," a girl with a shiny yellow badge attached to her robes called.
Harry, Kayla, and their fellow first years lined up behind the girl and followed as she led them out of the hall. After a long walk down a bunch of corridors the Hufflepuffs arrived at a painting of a grey wolf, who stood tall and proud in his frame. He wagged his tail in recognition and greeting as the girl with the badge stepped up to the painting.
She obviously noticed the odd looks she was receiving so she said, "Yes, I know that a painting of a wolf guards the common room of the house whose mascot is a badger, it's to throw off anyone to sneak into the common room and its ironic.
"Hiya Shayden," she greeted the wolf in the painting, who gave a happy bark in reply.
"Well enough standing around here." she said.
"A whole new world," she spoke to Shayden and with a nod of his head, he swung his portrait forward to reveal a large opening.
She reminded the first years not to forget the password before shooing them inside and telling them to sit anywhere they wanted.
Once everyone was seated she got up in front of the group and said, " Welcome to Hufflepuff common room. For the next seven years this will be like your living room. Most students do homework here, play games, or just relax. My name is Jana Valen and I'm a 5th year prefect."
At this a shorter blonde haired boy stood up and announced," I'm Jack Tate, also a 5th year prefect, so if you have any questions feel free to ask me, Jana, or any other older student."
"Jack is right, you were placed in the house of loyalty, and our whole house is like one big family. You can ask anyone for help if you need it. Our head of house is Professor Sprout, who teaches Herbology. She also would be more then happy to help," she told them.
Jack looked at his watch and said, " Wow, its getting late, ok boys dorms are up the stairs to the right, girls up the stairs on you left. You will find a sign that's says 1st Years on the door of your room. Get a good nights sleep classes start tomorrow," he told them.
" Remember you are now a Hufflepuff, we aren't a weak house nor a house who will just take anyone who doesn't fit anywhere else. We are the hard workers, the loyal friends, and the people everyone count on but don't usually acknowledge. Don't let anyone mock you for being a Hufflepuff. We are Badgers, Badgers don't cower and hide we fight back. We take everything life throws at us because we know that with our friends by our side and a little hard work nothing is impossible. You now all have Badger pride, wear it proudly." Jana told the first years.
With that Jack and Jana bid them all goodnight and went up to their rooms.
As the prefects left, the 1st years all said goodnight to each other and the boys went to their stairs and the girls to theirs. After climbing the stairs and locating their room the boys went in and began claiming beds. Harry ended up in the bed at the corner so on one side he had a wall and on the other side he had the bed occupied by Damien Jameson. The boys engaged in a bit of light chatter before turning in for the night.
Harry however couldn't sleep, the day's events continuously ringing through his head. He was so deep in thought that it was a moment before he noticed that Damien's head was poking through his curtain.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Damien asked him.
Harry nodded and invited Damien to come sit at the end of his bed. "I'm worried about tomorrow," Harry confessed, " I don't want everyone staring at me, like I'm some animal in a zoo."
Damien looked at him and said, " Don't worry about them, we wont let them get to you."
"We?"
"Your friends and housemates, we don't care who people say you are, you're our friend and that's all that matters."
Harry smiled at the kind and comforting words and asked, "I'm not going to be able to sleep much, know how to play poker?"
"Vaguely, want to re-teach me?" Damien responded.
Harry dug a deck of cards out of his trunk and re-taught Damien how to play. The two new friends spent most of the night playing and having fun, letting their new friendship grow and all their worries and concerns for the next day temporarily fade away.
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If All Else Fails, Howl At The Moon
xoxWolfGirlxox